Belfast Literary Society 1801-1901 : historical sketch with memoirs of some distinguished members

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BELFAST
LITERARY SOCIETY

1801-1901

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BELFAST

LITERARY SOCIETY

1801-1901

Historical Sketch

With Memoirs of some Distinguished Members

Belfast

M'CAW, STEVENSON & ORR, LTD.

The Linenhall Press

1902

THF NEW YO^K. «

^^0^^>n

Printed by

Af'Caw, Stevenson &' Orr, Limited^

The UttenkcUl Press,

Belfast.

FOREWORD.

/fT a meeting of tJu Belfast Literary Society in April igoi,
it was unaniifwusly resolved " tJiat steps be taken to celebrate
tJu Centenary of the Society, which completes a hundred years of
existence upon 2jrd October, igoi, and tJiat the following gentlemen be
appointed to decide in what manner this object could be most suitably
attained, and to make tJu necessary arrangements : Professor Lindsay
(^President), Mr. W. Steen (President-elect), Dr. R. Kyle Knox
(ex-President), Professor Park, Rev. Dr. H. D. Murphy, Rev. R. IV.
Seaver (Hon. Secretary j, Mr. R. M. Young, and Mr. George Smith
(Convener)."

In pursuance of this resolution, a Centenary Dinner was held upon
October 2jrd, igoi, and it was also decided to publish the present
volume, to which a series of memoirs of the distinguished men who
in the past were members of the Society has been contributed by
ladies and gentlemen who have special knowledge of their subjects.
TJu Com-mittee tender tJieir most sincere tJianks to the writers of these
articles, and to all others wJw have assisted them in the production
of tJie volume. To Miss Bryce, Mr. Robert foy, Mr. George M'Caw,
Mr. S. S. Millin, Dr. foseph Nelson, Mr. W. H. Patterson, Mr. fohn
Stevenso7i, and Mr. R. M. Young, tliey are indebted for the loan of
portraits from which tJie illustrations in this book are taken.

It is the sad duty of the Committee to record here the deaths of
two of the contributors — Sir William MacCortnac and Mrs. St elf ox —
which ouurred during tlie preparation of the volume.

William Steen.
James A. Lindsay.
R. Kyle Knox.
John Park.
H. D. Murphy.
Robert M. Young.
Richard W. Seaver.
George Smith.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

PAGB.

Historical Sketch, by George Smith i

Memoirs of Distinguished Members —

James M'Donnell, by R. M. Young, Esq., r.a., m.r.i.a 25

William Bruce, d.d., by the Rev. Alexander Gordon, m. a 29

William Hamilton Drummond, by his grandson, the Rev.

W. H. Drummond, b.a 37

Henry Joy, by Isaac W. Ward, Esq 43

John Templeton, by the Rev. C H. Waddell 45

John Knox, by Isaac W. Ward, Esq 47

William Bruce, a.b., by the Rev. Alexander Gordon, m.a 48

William 1). H. M'Ewen, by S. Shannon Millin, Esq., b.l 51

William Neilson, d.d., m.r.i.a., by Joseph Nelson, Esq., m.d... 55

James Thomson, a.m., ll.d., by the Rev. Thomas Hamilton, d.d.,

President of Queen's College, Belfast 60

William Cairns, ll.d. [an article written by William Bottomley,

extra6led from the Minutes] 67

Thomas Dix Hincks, ll.d., by Dr. Cecil E. Shaw, m.a 69

Henry Montgomery, by the Rev. Alexander Gordon, m.a 71

George C. Hyndman, by his nephew, Hugh Hyndman, Esq., ll.d. 76

Henry MacCormac, m.d., by his son, the late Sir Wm. MacCormac 80

Edmund Getty, by R. M. Young, Esq., b.a., m.r.i.a 82

Robert Patterson, f.r.s., by his son, Robert Lloyd Patterson,

Esq. , M. R.I. A 85

James Macadam, f.g.s., by R. M. Young, Esq., b.a., m.r.i.a 88

The Rev. John Scott PoR^-ii-K, by his son, the Right Hon. Sir

Andrew Marshall Portv.r, Bart., Master of the Rolls for Ireland 91

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

PAGE.

William Thompson, by the Rev. C. K. Pooler, m.a 98

RoiJERT S. Macadam, by R. M. Young, Esq., b.a., m.r.i.a 100

John Grattan, by R. M. Young, Esq., b.a., m.r.la 10 1

Professor Thomas Andrews, by his daughter, Miss Elizabeth

Andrews 102

W. Neilson Hancock, ll.d., q.c, by Sergeant Dodd, k.c 105

Joseph John Murphy, by the Rev. Richard W. Seaver, a.m., b.d. 109

Charles Parsons Reichel, Bishop of Meath, by his son,
H. R. Reichel, Esq., ll.d.. Principal, University College of

North Wales 1 1 1

The Rev. Edward Hincks, d.d., by the Rev. Charles Scott, m.a. 116

William Reeves, d.d.. Bishop of Down and Connor and

Dromore, by the Rev. Richard W. Seaver, a.m., b.d 119

Professor James Thomson, ll.d., d.sc, by his son, James

Thomson, Esq 122

Sir C. Wvville Thomson, ll.d., d.sc, f.r.s., by the Rev. Thomas

Hamilton, d.d.. President of Queen's College, Belfast 124

Henry Burden, m.d., by his son, A. M. Burden, Esq., c.e. ... 128

Charles MacDouall, ll.d., by Professor John Park, d.lit 130

Reuben John Brvce, ll.d., by his nephew, R. M. Young, Esq.,

B.A., m.r.i.a 135

John Frederick Hodges, m.d., f.i.c, f.c.s., j.p., by his daughter.

Miss Hodges 137

The Rev. James Glasgow, d.d., by Sinclare Ramsey, Esq 139

The Rev, William MacIlwaine, d.d., by his daughter, the late

Mrs. Stelfox 142

James Cuming, m.d., by R. Kyle Knox, Esq., ll.d 144

Samuel James MacMullan, by Professor John Park, d.lit 147

Appendix I. List of Officers of the Society, 1801-1901 151

Appendix II. Alphabetical List of Members, with titles of their

papers, 1801-1901 155

LIST OF PORTRAITS.

PAGE.

James M'Donnell, u.-D.,from the bust in the Belfast Museum... facing title-page

William Bruce, d.d., from an engraving by R. Hodgett, after T. C.

Thompson, in the possession of Robert M. Young, Esq., m.r.i.a... 27

William H. Drummond, d.d., from an oil painting by Thomas Robinson,

in the possession of Rev. R. B. Drummond 35

Henry Joy, from a miniature in the possession of Robert Joy, Esq 41

William Neilson, d.d., from a miniature in the possession of Dr.

Joseph Nelson 53

William Cairns, d.d., from the drawing by Day (see page 17), now

hanging in the Belfast Museum 65

Robert Patterson, f.r.s., from a photograph in the possession of

W. H. Patterson, Esq., m.r.i.a 83

Rev. John Scott Porter, from an engraving in the possession of

George C. M'Caw, Esq 89

Reuben John Brvce, ll.d., from a photograph in the possession of

Miss Bryce 133

BELFAST LITERARY SOCIETY
HISTORICAL SKETCH.

THE
BELFAST LITERARY SOCIETY.

HISTORICAL SKETCH.

1801-1901.

IT is always interesting- in reviewing the history of an institution
to learn something of the aims of those with whom it originated.
Sometimes, after a lapse of years, uncertainty on this point
prevails, owing to the want of authentic information. Fortunately
in the case of the Belfast Literary Society, one of its founders has
recorded, in an article which appeared in the Belfast News-Letter
for January 6th, 181 5, the objects which it was designed to fulfil.
It is gratifying to know that after one hundred years of trial, the
same principles guide the members to-day as actuated those of a
century ago,

" One object in forming the Belfast Literary Society," this
article tells us, " was to secure an evening in ever}- month for
literary conversation, for which the regular paper and the extra
memoirs might furnish a subject. Without an institution of this
kind, there can be no bond of union, nor any opportunit}- for select
intercourse among literary and scientifical, or intelligent and inquisi-
tive men. But in such a Society useful subjects may be discussed ;
the solitary theories of the study corrected by the collision of
different opinions ; difficulties solved by the suggestions of those to
whose peculiar province they may belong ; more liberal ideas formed
by the members, of each other's pursuits and characters ; and a
chance afforded of co-operation in some useful design.

" For this purpose, it is not necessary that the Society be
numerous ; but it is desirable that such an attendance may be

4 HISTORICAL SKETCH.

secured as may add an interest to the composition and delivery of
the stated discourses. — To encourage such an attendance of members,
the rules have been framed on the most liberal plan, and the duties
required are such as no man, who has any wish or pretensions to join
such an association, can object to. Such persons, whether in pro-
fessional, mercantile, or more private situations, the Society have
always, with great pleasure, received into their number.

"Accordingly, the discussions that have occupied their time are
suited to every class of intelligent men. Some of their members
have furnished a variety of papers on the topography, natural
history, and mineralogy ; others on the antiquities, civil history, and
manufactures of this province. Some have applied for the solution of
practical questions connected with science, arts, and manufactures ;
while the different departments of ancient learning, modern literature,
and metaphysics have exercised the pens of others. Some memoirs
have treated of law, commerce, and political economy ; others of sub-
jects purely scientifical, and a few of medicine Although

no particular class of subject is expressly excluded, theological
controversy and the political questions of the day have been, by
general consent, avoided."

In these broad principles and aims, we see the true secret of
the durability of the Society. Small in numbers as its membership
has ever been, with no permanent place of meeting, depending
entirely for its continuance on the mental activity and social
qualities of its handful of members, could one have hoped, as
larger societies, with more definite and limited objects, arose, that
it would survive even a generation ? Twice, indeed, in the hundred
years of its history has it been threatened with extinction, but on
both occasions, the members, realizing how much they were attached
to its objects, have rallied together to prevent such a fate.

This says much for the wisdom of the founders of the Society —
the twelve men who met together in the Exchange Rooms, Belfast,
on October 23rd, 1801, for the purpose of its formation. Most of

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 5

their names are familiar to us as those which are writ large in the
history of the city. First on the list is Dr. Bruce, to whom Belfast
owes so much that is best in her institutions. Next follows the
Rev. William Hamilton Drummond, then only 23 years of age,
yet already pastor of the Second Belfast Presbyterian Congregation.
Further down the list, we come to Henry Joy, chiefly remembered
for his researches into local antiquities ; John Templeton, the
naturalist ; and three members of the medical faculty, all of whom
have left substantial records in the general progress of Belfast, as well
as in their own particular sphere — S. M. Stephenson, S. S. Thomson,
and James M'Donnell.

The last-named was elected President ; Dr. Bruce, Vice-President ;
and Dr. Thomson, Secretary, at a meeting on November 9th, 1801.
A third meeting, at which Dr. M'Donnell read an inaugural discourse,
was held on November i6th, and by this time a series of Regulations
had been agreed to. By these Regulations, the first Monday before
each full moon was appointed as the day of meeting, to give way
later on, perhaps on account of the streets being better lighted, to the
first Monday in the month. The session was from October to May.
Papers on subjects relating to literature, science, or the arts, were
to be read by the members in rotation, and, in the event of " the
Author for the night failing to produce his paper," he was subject to
a fine of half-a-guinea, and the rules declared that, " to prevent dis-
appointment, the person next in order shall be called on under penalty
of a Crown, and both shall be required to produce their papers at the
succeeding meeting." This rule, though it usually secured the delivery
of papers, did not provide for an audience, and in January 1804 a rule
was passed, imposing a fine of is. id. " on every resident member who is
not present at the hour of meeting, 7 o'clock, and that no apologies be
admitted." As to visitors, the rules provide " the President in the chair
the Author of the Paper for the Night, and the Secretary, to have each
the Privilege of introducing a Visitor." Afterwards, by a resolution
on January 6th, 1806, this privilege was extended to all members.

6 HISTORICAL SKETCH.

The first meetings of the Society were held in the Exchange
Rooms, but, before the end of the first session, this arrangement fell
through, and in April 1802 a meeting was held in the rooms of the
Secretary. It was then resolved to apply to the Committees of the
Belfast Society for Promoting Knowledge and of the Linen Hall for
liberty to meet in their large rooms. The minutes of the following
meeting, held in Dr. Bruce's house, record the permission of the
former Committee, but it is not clear whether the Linen Hall
authorities acceded to the request, and the Society's place of meeting
for some years is uncertain.

However, after January 1804, they were prevented from meeting
at their usual place, wherever that was, and Dr. Bruce proposed the
holding of meetings in the houses of the members, in rotation, " and
that no refreshment shall be introduced except tea or coffee." For
a few meetings this course was followed, but afterwards a room in
the house of Gaetano Fabrini, a drawing-master, was used, and
Dr. M'Donnell, on behalf of the Society, presented Fabrini with
a book costing three guineas, in requital for this convenience. Other-
wise the minutes only occasionally record the meeting-place, and the
practice up to 181 2 seems to have varied. In February of that year
however. Dr. Bruce succeeded in carrying a resolution for holding all
the meetings of a session at the house of a Belfast member. The
following order is given :

In Dr. M'Donnell's, Session that ends May 181 2.

In Mr. Joy's,
In Mr. Knox's,
In Mr, Jebb's,
In Dr. Bruce's,
In Mr. Comines's,
In Dr. Stephenson's,

1813.
1 8 14.
1815.
1816.
1817.
1818.

Out of this practice arose the present custom of holding all the
meetings of a session in the house of the President.

HISTORICAL SKETCH. J

From their earliest meetings, special attention was paid to
scientific questions, and the deservedly high reputation acquired in
consequence is referred to by Malcolm in his History of the Geyieral
Hospital, Belfast (ed. 185 1), p. 20 :

" The growth of science, as a special object of cultivation, ma)- be
said to date from the origin of the Literary Society, already noticed,
which for many years did good service in the cause. The names of
Stephenson, Drummond, Bruce, Richardson, and others, who con-
tributed a number of important philosophical transactions, which were
published from time to time, will be long remembered."

We shall have occasion later on to speak of the publications
alluded to by Malcolm. Of the names specially mentioned, three
were original members ; Richardson, the fourth, was elected a corres-
ponding member ; and it is interesting to note, in the election of this
class of member, the effort made to put the Society in touch with
the researches being made in other places. In addition to Dr.
Richardson, who resided at Clonfeacle, in the Count}' Armagh, Dr.
James Curry of London, Dr. Boisragon of Bath, Dr. Whitley Stokes
of Dublin, were also, during the first session, elected corresponding
members.

The work which was being accomplished at this time b)- the
Royal Dublin Society, in publishing Statistical Surveys of the various
counties of Ireland, seems to have attracted the attention of the Belfast
Literary Society, as we find them projecting an ambitious work on
the County of Antrim, before the end of 1802 — the year the Statistical
account of County Down appeared in Dublin. Dr. Bruce proposed
the appointment of three Committees — Historical, Statistical, and
Philosophical — for dealing with the work. For a time the design was
vigorously pushed forward ; endeavours were made to discover a lost
book of record, commonly called " the Clasped Book," kept from an
early period by the Corporation of the Town ; communications were
obtained from various parts of the count}', giving accounts of towns
and parishes ; and for some time most of the papers read by members

8 HISTORICAL SKETCH.

before the Society were evidently prepared for embodiment in this
description of the count) \ But after the matter had been in hand for
more than a session, enthusiasm seems to have cooled, for the Minutes
of March 1804 record that, " after much conversation respecting the
statistical history of County Antrim, it was moved by Mr. Drummond
that a meeting of the Society be held on Monday, 9th April, to
consider the question at large." When called together specially to
discuss the matter, the members decided to proceed with their original
plan, and at intervals further contributions toward this object appear
to have been written, principally by M'Donnell, Stephenson, and
Drummond. The general interest of the members in the compilation
gradually failed, and the subject was, in 1806, to a large extent,
shelved, in favour of a scheme of publishing Select papers read before
the Society. By this time a wide field of subjects had been treated in
the monthly papers and memoirs ; and although, by the retirement of
a number of the original members, especially of John Templeton and
S. S. Thomson, the Society may have been weakened in certain
departments, still five of the founders — Bruce, M'Donnell, Drummond,
Stephenson, and Joy — displayed interest in a variety of subjects, and
were well supported by two of the elected members. Dr. Cupples and
John Knox. A corresponding member also, D. B. Warden of New
York, a native of the north of Ireland, sent several contributions
through Dr. Stephenson. He also, in February 1804, presented
a collection of fossils and American curiosities. These were deposited
in the rooms of the Belfast Society for Promoting Knowledge.
Further additions to the small Museum thus formed were made from
time to time, and were placed in the same building. Warden became
Secretary of the United States Legation in Paris, and held that post
for many years ; he never forgot his connection with the Society, and
always presented a copy of his published writings. Dr. Cupples
favoured local history and antiquities, in which he shared the tastes of
Joy and Stephenson. Drummond also sometimes worked in the same
field, but occasionally gave variety to the Society's proceedings by

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 9

reading his own poems to the assembled members. Knox's con-
tributions were astronomical or physical ; iM'D(jnneirs early papers,
geological ; whilst Dr. Bruce's studies in classical literature did not
hinder his making meteorological observations. In 1806, James
Drummond, a brother of the writer of Trafalgar, j(jined the Society,
and occasionally contributed papers on medicine or zoolog}'.

The Rev. T. Higginson also became a member of the Society, and
the minutes record that, on December 5th, 1808, he " read a paper on
the Parish of Lambeg, which lie ackncjwledged to be imperfect, and
promised to make good the deficiency at some future opportunity."

Questions were propounded and solutions offered at the meetings ;
some of the points raised seem quaint to our present-day ideas. On
January nth, 1802, "Doctor Stephenson proposes the following ques-
tion : ' Why do the tops of vegetables shoot towards the light and the
roots from it ; and consequently the upper and under side of leaves?'"
On May 2nd, 1803, "A Letter from Dr. Hamilton, Astronomer, of
Armagh, in Answer to one from Mr. Joy, written with the appro-
bation of this Society at its last meeting — was read — in which the
Doctor politely offered his assistance in ascertaining the Longitude
and Latitude of Belfast."

The idea of publishing a selection of the papers contributed at the
meetings was warmly supported, and on the 5th of May, 1806, "as
Periodical Publications may tend to the Usefulness and Reputation of
the Society, and incite a common Interest among the members," an
elaborate plan of publication was resolved upon. To prevent loss,
each member was to take ten copies of every memoir, and each
member was to enjoy any profit arising from his own publication ;
further, if the Society should become possessed of any funds, they
were to be applied, in the first place, to indemnify any members who
had lost by their publications. This arrangement, satisfactory as it
no doubt appeared to the authors who desired to publish their
writings, was afterwards felt to be impracticable, for in April 1808
considerable changes were made in this plan of publication. The

10 HISTORICAL SKETCH.

" Benefit and Risque of publication " was " to be a Society concern,
save where the Author may desire to publish at his own Risque, and
for his own Benefit, his paper having been previously selected by the
Committee of Revision for publication." The first number (or
fasciculus as it was called) was then in the printer's hands, and 500
copies were ordered to be printed, " which," the minutes record, " after
serving the 8 Members with 10 copies each, will leave 420 for sale in
Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, and London, or elsewhere. The ex-
perience of the Sale of this Impression to direct the Number in future."
Smyth & Lyons were the printers, and Archer the bookseller. The
latter, we learn, proposed to charge 1 5 per cent, on sales out of Belfast,
and on his own sales in town " to charge a mere trifle." The Com-
mittee of Revision, consisting of Bruce, M'Donnell, and Joy, selected
for publication in the first fasciculus, a paper on Fiorin Grass, by
Dr. Richardson, and The Relation of an Aerostatic Voyage, by Guy
Lussac, member of the National Institute of France: this was
transmitted by D. B. Warden, who was a friend of the author. The
second fasciculus contained a paper by Dr. Stephenson on The
History of the Linen Manufacticre in the County of Antrim, and
another by John Christy on The Mode of Cultivating Flax and Saving
the Seed. For the printing of these two fasciculi, £$0 is. appears to
have been charged; and four members (Bruce, M'Donnell, Drummond,
and Joy), on November 13th, 1809, advanced the money to pay this
bill. Six weeks later, on December 29th, a third fasciculus was
issued, containing a memoir on The Influence of Political Revolutions on
the Progress of Religion, by Dr. Bruce, and two memoirs by D. B.
Warden, one on The Upas Tree, and the other on The Bark of
Magnolia Tripetalata of Virginia. Long ere this. Dr. M'Donnell had
promised a paper for publication, but in spite of frequent requests and
expostulations, recorded on the minutes, it was not forthcoming. The
preparation of a fourth fasciculus was urgently insisted upon, and
in April 1811, Dr. Bruce was requested "to put his paper to the press,
that it may be printed before Dr. M'Donnell's, by which it is to be

HISTORICAL SKETCH. II

accompanied, and which Dr. M'Donnell thinks will be ready in a
month." M'Donnell procrastinated still further it seems, for the fourth
fasciculus, according to an advertisement in the Belfast News-Letter
of September i8th, 1811, was not published until that day. Even
then it did not contain the paper by M'Donnell, though Bruce's
memoir on The Advantages of Classical Education was included, as
well as his Meteorological Obserz'ations, and a memoir on The Prismatic
Coloured Rings of Sir Isaac Newton, by John Knox.

The financial results of the publishing venture had not been
encouraging, and it is not surprising that the Societ}-, on December
2nd, 181 1, resolved that in future the expense of publication should
be borne by the author or undertaker of a fasciculus, though each
member, as before, was to take 10 copies. Of these 10, part were to
remain with the Secretar}', so as to leave a stock of 50 copies for
future publication of the Society's papers in volumes. The remainder
of each member's 10 copies were to be delivered to him. It was
now time to consider the payment of the bills incurred. The cost
of the third fasciculus absorbed all the Societ}''s cash. Dr. Bruce
generously paid all the cost of the fourth fasciculus, but there still
remained the debt of ^50 \s. owing to the four members who had
advanced it in 1809. Already an annual subscription of half-a-guinea
had been imposed, but, with a membership of ten only, repayment of
the loan seemed a long way off, and in March 1812 it was resolved to
increase this to one guinea per annum, in order the sooner to discharge
the liabilit}-. In the careful hands of Henry Joy this task was
accomplished by October 7th, 18 16, and on that date, he, as Secretar)'
and Treasurer, was able to report that there remained, after this
repayment, a balance of £(> is. id. Some of the more optimistic
spirits at once desired to resume publishing, and Stephenson, and
even M'Donnell, agreed to prepare papers with a view to publication.
For some reason or other M'Donnell could never be prevailed upon to
do so, and although, as time wore on, Stephenson's manuscript was
ready, and a Committee of Revision appointed to deal with it as late

12 HISTORICAL SKETCH.

as 1 82 1, yet the matter seems to have been further postponed, and
gradually fell through.

This attempt at publication, far from interfering with the general
work of the Society, rather gave it a stimulus: the meetings were
regularly held, and papers delivered, in spite of the fact that for some
years only a few new members were admitted. Of these, the best known
is the Rev. William Bruce. His early efforts deal with such subjects as
The Chronology of the New Testament, and An Account of the Different
MSS. and Editions of the Bible. Later, he, like his father, inclined to
classical subjects. Dr. Bruce at this time commenced to deliver
before the Society a series of papers on The Homeric Age : a work
which he eventually published. He was ever thoughtful for the
practical improvement of the Society, and it was he who, in October
1 8 14, drew up a precis of the proceedings of the Society to that date.
This precis, with some emendations, was ordered to be entered on the
minutes, and occurs at the commencement of the second minute book.
It is followed by " A list of Natural Curiosities and Specimens in the
possession of the Belfast Literary Society, deposited in the Library of
the Belfast Society for Promoting Knowledge," and a list of "Books
and Papers belonging to the Society not yet collected or deposited."

At the commencement of the same session, 18 14- 15, it was felt
desirable to increase the membership, and it was to attract interest in
the Society that a series of notes on its work appeared in the Belfast
newspapers of that time : among these was the article which has been
quoted at the commencement of this chapter. These do not seem,
however, to have borne much fruit, whilst the need for new-comers
became still more felt when W. Hamilton Drummond retired on his
appointment as colleague to Dr. James Armstrong at Strand Street,
Dublin. A further loss occurred in the withdrawal of John Knox, but
shortly after this the effort to secure fresh members resulted success-
fully. Between 1817 and 1821 eight members joined the Society:
William Knight, the Rev. W. D. H. M'Ewen, the Rev. W. Neilson,
James Thomson, William Cairns, the Rev. T. Dix Hincks, Monsieur

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 1 3

D'Oisy, and James Stuart. Of these, all except Stuart afterwards
became Presidents, and two (M'Ewen and Cairns) Secretaries of the
Society. A variety of new thought was now brought to the discussions,
and the papers took even a wider range than before. Mathematical and
astronomical problems occupied the first place in James Thomson's
contributions; Neilson, before his sudden death on April 26th, 1821,
read papers before the Society on two subjects dear to him, on Moods,
and Remarks on Gaelic Authors and Autiquities ; Cairns wrote of
University History ; and Dix Hincks, amidst his historical researches,
found time for miscellaneous subjects. D'Oisy, a master at the
Academical Institution, usually treated of Italian and French literature,
but some of his later papers were on military topics, subjects of which
he, as a former officer of the first Napoleon, should have had some-
thing interesting to tell.

Occasionally antiquities were exhibited at the meetings, as, on
April 3rd, 1820, when the minutes record that "A curious antique
Handbell and Cover were produced at the meeting, in the possession
of Mr, Adam M'Clean. The Cover is highly ornamented, and contains
an ancient inscription in the Irish character, implying that the cover is
of the eleventh century." In April 1823 it is also recorded that "Dr.
Bruce read an Extra Memoir on an ancient illuminated Manuscript on
Vellum, which Mr. Boyd of Ballycastle informed him had long been
preserved in an old family of Roman Catholics in his neighbourhood.
It was produced at the meeting. Its title is The Golden Book, con-
taining chiefly an account of the Life and Passion of our Saviour, taken
mostly from the Scriptures, by Bonaventura." Again, in May 1824,
Mr. Rose Cleland, a visitor, " exhibited a copy of an ancient manuscript
of the Gospel of Xicodemus, and read a part of it." In April 1822
a meeting- somewhat different from usual seems to have been held.
Henry Joy read a portion of a preface intended for the second volume
of Edmund Bunting's Collection of Ancient Irish Music. "After the
close of the business of the night, Valentine Rainy, preceptor in the
Irish Harp Society, exemplified the capabilities of the Instrument, by

14 HISTORICAL SKETCH.

playing several airs on it, Irish and others, chiefly with relation to the
paper of the night." This was one of the last papers read before the
Society by Henry Joy ; at the end of 1822-23 session he resigned the
office of Secretary and Treasurer, which he had held since 181 1, and
in October 1S24 he withdrew from active connection with the Society.
Before this, however, he had brought in a motion for holding the
meetings on the first Friday instead of the first Monday of the month.
This was passed, and acted upon until November 1825, when the
Monday meetings were resumed. Another original member, Dr.
Stephenson, had preceded Henry Joy in retiring from the Society.
This he did in 1821, and he, like Joy, was elected an honorary
member.

In spite of the loss of their old associates. Dr. Bruce and Dr.
M'Donnell still continued their unabated interest in the meetings, the
former, at this time, proposing a further departure in the proceedings.
In consequence, a series of resolutions in favour of the purchase of
" valuable books on the principal branches of knowledge, contemplated
in this Institution, as are not likely to be otherwise accessible to the
members," were adopted on January 7th, 1825,

Among the new members elected before the end of 1826, were the
Rev. James Seaton Reid and the Rev. Henry Montgomery, the latter
of whom became President, and for a long time continued his
connection with the Society.

Dr. Henry MacCormac was elected a member in May 1828, and
during his brief connection with the Society read two papers, one on
The Formation of Character, and the other on The U^iiversal Method
of Education offacotot, in the course of which the system was illustrated
by an examination of fourteen pupils of Mr. Harkins on some portions
of Johnson's Rasselas. He was appointed President for the session
1829-30, and his year of office was marked by the removal of
curiosities and specimens belonging to the Society, from the Linen
Hall, where they had been deposited with the Belfast Society for
Promoting Knowledge. Of these the antiquities were given to the

HISTORICAL SKETCH. I 5

Belfast Academical Institution, whilst the animals and minerals were
handed over to the Belfast Natural History Society, then only estab-
lished a few years. In the same session, the fines levied on those late
or absent, which, since 1821, had stood at lod. for the former offence
and IS. Sd. for the latter, were altered, on account of the change of
currency, to "one shilling and sixpence for absence, and sixpence for
lateness." Unfortunately, Dr. MacCormac resigned his membership
in January 1831, and thus early in his career withdrew his vigorous
influence.

The close connection with the Natural History Society, as. we have
already seen, so well begun by the donation of minerals and other
specimens, had been further strengthened by the election, in February
1830, of two of the most prominent men in that Society — Edmund Getty
and Robert Patterson — and may be said to have been finally cemented
at the Literary Society's meeting in April 1831, when it was resolved
unanimously — " That this Society shall contribute Fifty Pounds to the
funds of the Belfast Natural History Society, and that Mr. Bruce,
Dr. Thomson, and Mr. Cairns be appointed to confer with a Com-
mittee of the Natural History Society, and to make such arrangements
as may be most conducive to mutual advantage and accommodation."
A copy of the letter in acknowledgment of this, received from the
Secretary of the Natural History Society, is entered on the minutes,
and reads as follows :

To THE Secretary of the

Belfast Literary Society.
Sir,

The members of the Belfast Natural History Society have been informed by Messrs.
Mitchell, Getty, and Patterson of your very handsome donation of Fifty Pounds to their
Museum. They desire me to express their due acknowledgments of such liberality, and, as
a proof of their sense of the obligation, to offer to the members of the Literary .Society for
twenty years, from the ist of May next, the privilege of visiting their Museum whenever it is
open during the day to their own members, and the use of a room for holding their meetings,
if required. They will likewise allow the Books and Manuscripts of the Literary Society to
be placed in their Library in a case, appropriated to that purpose, the members of both
Societies having free access to the books of either.

1 6 HISTORICAL SKETCH.

These privileges are offered in the expectation that the constitution of the Literary
Society will undergo no material change. But if such an alteration should take place, and
the Natural History Society feel seriously incommoded by the arrangement now proposed,
they reserve the power of dissolving the connection and repaying such proportion of the £^0
as three members appointed by each Society shall deem fair and equitable.

Confidently expecting that this alternative may never prove necessary, and that the two
Societies may ever be found anxious and willing to promote the views and forward the
purposes of the other,

I have the honour to tje, Sir,

Your very obedient servant,

(Signed), GEO. C. HYNDMAN,
Belfast, 20//1 April, 1831. Secy.

Mr. Hyndman himself, the writer of the letter, became a member of
the Literary Society in 1836 : a .step in which several other prominent
members of the Natural History Society — notably James MacAdam,
elected in i83i,and William Thfjinpson, admitted in 1834 — had pre-
ceded him. AncAher important new-comer was the Rev. John Scott
Porter, who was enrolled in January 1833. Besides these, several others
were admitted ; but in spite of this, the attendance at meetings was not
considered satisfactory, for in April 1838 several resolutions were
passed with reference to the attendance of members, the most im-
portant of which provided that "Any gentleman who has been, or
hereafter shall be, ab.sent for one entire session, without assigning a
sufficient reason for such absence, shall cease to be a member."
Though not without effect, these resolutions did not altogether succeed
in securing good attendances or a regular supply of papers ; and it
would appear to have been dissatisfaction with this state of things
that led to the holding of a meeting in the Belfast Museum, 21st
October, 1839, for the purpose of considering whether it would be
advisable to continue or to dissolve the Society. Five members only —
Dr. Cairns, Robert Patterson, H. Garrett, J. T. Tennent, and William
Thompson — are recorded as being present, but the " result of their
free conversaticMi " on the subject is given as follows in the minutes :
" As they found that a sufficient number were willing to furnish papers

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 17

in succession, they resolved to continue tlie meetinf^s for one session
more ; and to take into consideration some arran^^ements that were
suggested for increasing the number of members, and securing
regularity in conducting the business."

The danger having been thus happily averted for the time, at a
later meeting in November it was decided to abolish the annual
subscription, only requiring new members to pay an entrance fee of
one guinea. This they were able to do, as they had a balance of £$0
in hand, notwithstanding that they had for some years expended a
portion of the subscriptions received in the purchase of books and
periodicals. Many of these may still be found on the shelves of the
Belfast Museum.

In spite of the recommendations for securing new members, four
only were admitted during the next ten years, of whom William
Bottomley and John Grattan were the most important. Meanwhile,
many of the older members had passed away, and the death of the
first President, who had seen so many changes in the personnel of
the Society, is chronicled in the minutes of a meeting held on
14th April, 1845, when "Mr. Bruce called attention to the death of
Dr. M'Donnell (on Saturday, the 5th inst.), the only one of the original
members of the Society (instituted in October 1801) who continued
to be connected with it : when all present expressed their high sense
of the value of his services to the Societ)-, and the warm interest which
he took in all its concerns to the very last moment of his life." One
of the original members — the Rev. W. Hamilton Drummond — was still
living at that time, and survived twenty years longer until 1865, but
his connection with the Society was severed, it will be remembered,
on his removal to Dublin in 181 5.

The labours of Dr. Cairns in the office of Secretary received
recognition in April 1844, a portrait of him being then presented
to the Society, with this inscription, in William Thompson's
handwriting :

"This Miniature of the Rev. Dr. Cairns was painted by Mr. C. W.

l8 HISTORICAL SKETCH.

Day (a London artist), in March 1843, at the request of

Wm. Thompson, Rev. \Vm. Bruce,

VVm. Bottomley, Rev. Wm. Hamilton,

Geo. C. Hyndman, Henr\- Garrett,

Robt. Patterson, Edmund Getty,

and is by them presented to the Belfast Literary Society, of which
Dr. Cairns has been the zealous and effective Secretarj' for 1 5 )-ears."
The portrait in question now hangs in the Belfast Museum.

Its original continued Secretary until his death, the minutes for the
9th February, 1848, being the last in his handwriting ; they are followed
by an obituary notice upon him, written by William Bottomley for
the Northern W)iig, of Saturday, 22nd April, 1S49. Apparently no
further meetings were held until the 22nd November in the latter year,
the Society being then convened under the circumstances recorded as
follows :

" At a meeting of the Council of the Natural History and
Philosophical Society, held at Holywood House, the residence of

William Thompson, Esq., on the * 1849, where a number of the

members of the Literar}- Society were present, some conversation
took place respecting that body and its future proceedings, and it was
agreed to authorize Mr. Getty to take charge of the minute books, and
summon a meeting to be held at the Museum at an earl\- day.

"Under date 19th November, 1S49, he issued a circular addressed
to all the members, Mr. Thompson, who is from home, excepted ; viz.,
Messrs. R. M'Adam, James M'Adam, Jas. M'Adam, jun.. Rev. William
Bruce, Rev. J. S. Porter, Rev. T. D. Hincks, H. Garrett, R. Patterson,
G. C. Hyndman. Wm. Bottomley, Alexander Mitchell, J. T. Tennent,
John Grattan, to meet on Thursday evening, 22nd November, at
8 o'clock, at the Museum."

The members readih' responded to the call ; an enthusiastic meeting
was held, and it was resolved — " That, in the opinion of this meeting,
the Belfast Literary Society, a body established so early as the year

* Date left bl.uik.

HISTORICAL SKETCH. I9

1 801, and which has numbered amongst its members many of the
leading inhabitants of Belfast and its vicinity, should be continued, as
affording a means for bringing together many persons of general
literary taste not connected with societies established for the pro-
motion of particular branches of knowledge." An annual subscription
of los. 6d. was decided upon, but after a time this was discontinued by
a resolution, repeated each year. The Rev. John Scott Porter was
elected President for the session ; Edmund Getty, Secretary ; and
Robert Patterson, Treasurer. Under these officers, the work of the
Society was carried on with increased energy. In Januar)' 1850 six
new members were admitted, among them — Joseph John Murphy,
Nelson Hancock, and Dr. Thomas Andrews. Shortly afterwards, the
Rev. Edward Hincks and the Rev. Dr. Reeves were elected corre-
sponding members, and became interested in the Society. A junction
between the Literary Society and the Fine Arts Society was proposed,
but was not carried into effect. Reports of the meetings were, for a
time, contributed to the newspapers. A suggestion that the members
should make an excursion for a day during the summer — Castle Blaney
and Inniskeen Round Tower being preferred — was received with some
favour. In the following session, Dr. Reichel (afterwards Bishop of
Meath), Professor Craik, and Isaac J. Murphy were enrolled. The last-
named gentleman, who is happily still an active member of the
Society, was elected President for the Session 1854-55, and at the same
time the Rev. John Scott Porter succeeded Joseph John Murphy (who
had been Secretary from 1850) in that office; the latter remaining
Treasurer until his death in 1894.

The new Secretary- "read a Report which he had prepared
on the number of papers read by the different members since
November 1849, and the order in which they are liable to be called
on to read," in which he outlined the recent history of the Society,
gave the number of members as 22, but then went on to say " it is
to be regretted that some of these have scarcely attended any of its
meetings."

20 HISTORICAL SKETCH,

A Stricter regard to the observance of the proper order in the
deHvery of papers was henceforth insisted upon, and to support this,
a revision of the Rules was made in February 1855. The Rev. John
Scott Porter remained Secretary until the end of the Session 1869-70,
and to his unwearied exertions in that office the present sound posi-
tion of the Society has been justly attributed. During this period,
the membership averaged only about 23, but the papers and dis-
cussion were of a high order of excellence, and among those joining
at this time were many who gave a stimulus to the interest of the
meetings. Chief of those elected in 1856 was Professor Wyville
Thomson ; in 1858, Dr. Henry Burden and Dr. Hugh Hyndman ; in
1859, the present Master of the Rolls and Professor MacDouall ; in
1861, the Rev. Dr. Murphy; in 1864, the Rev. R. J. Bryce and Pro-
fessor Purser; in 1867, Dr. Hodges and Professor Yonge ; in 1869,
the Rev. Dr. Glasgow and Professor Park; in 1870, Serjeant Dodd
and Robert Young. Dr. Burden occupied the office left vacant by
Mr. Porter's resignation, whilst the latter became President for the
Session 1870-71. In May 1873, shortly after the Society, by the
death of Robert Patterson, had lost one of its ablest members, Mr.
Porter, owing to his inability to attend the meetings as frequently
as he could wish, desired to resign, but this evoked " a unanimous
expression of opinion to the effect, that the present success and
stability of the Society being mainly due to the warm and active
interest he had taken in it for so many years, the Society
should not, without an earnest protest, permit him to withdraw his
name from the list of members." In response to this appeal, Mr.
Porter withdrew his resignation and continued a member to his
death in July 1880.

The subsequent history of the Society is well known to many of
the existing members. In 1884 a proposal was made by Mr. Street
to change the night of meeting from the first Monday to the second
Tuesday in the month, but a vote by circular being taken on the
question, it was negatived, and the former practice adhered to.

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 21

A revision of the Rules occurred on March 3rcl, 1890, but no alteration
was made in the general proceedings of the Society.

In November 1892, Dr. Burden resigned the secretaryship owing
to illness, and was succeeded by the Rev. R. \V. Seaver. Dr. Burden
died a few months after this, and was followed within a year by
Mr. Joseph John Murphy, who was President at the time of his death,
and who had been Treasurer since 1853.

It seemed to the members of the Society that its entrance upon
a new century of existence was an event deserv^ing of special com-
memoration. Accordingly, it was resolved that this Memorial Volume
be published, and also that a Centenar>' Dinner take place on October
23rd, 1 90 1, the anniversary of the first meeting, in the Old Exchange,
Belfast, in 1801. The flourishing condition of the Society was amply
attested by the success attending this function, and by the remarks of
the various speakers. It was pointed out that the Society served a
distinct and most beneficial purpose, in a city chiefly devoted to
commercial pursuits, by offering a common centre to all who had an
interest in the study of Literature, Science, and the Arts. The eminently
social and informal character of its meetings brought together many
whose avocations might tend to keep them apart, while the borders
of knowledge were widened and the ties of citizenship strengthened
by such friendl}' intercourse.

The sketch which this page concludes, and the short biographies
which follow of a number of the distinguished men, now dead, who
took an active part in the proceedings of the Society, will, perhaps, give
some insight into the intellectual progress of our city during the past
centur>', and the lives of those who participated in it. That progress
has not kept pace with material prosperity ; but when another
century has passed, and another generation of members celebrates its
bi-centenar>^, the Belfast Literary Society will, it is hoped, have
done something to leaven the mass with its own devotion to the higher
mental culture, without which material prosperity is comparatively
valueless.

MEMOIRS.

The biographies which follow arc from the pens
of various contributors, each of whom, from intimate
personal knowledge or otherwise, is specially qualified
to write authoritatively on his special subject. The
Editors take this opportmiity of expressing their
thanks for the ready way in which their requests for
contributions were acceded to.

25

JAMES MCDONNELL, M.D.

"p\OCTOR James M'Donnell, long regarded as the Nestor of Science
in Belfast, was born in 1762 ; second son of Michael M'Donnell
of Cushendun, Co. Antrim, whose family was one of the oldest in the
North of Ireland. He received his early education from the famous
Belfast schoolmaster, David Manson ; graduated in medicine at Edin-
burgh in 1784, when he chose for his thesis the treatment of the
drowned, advocating as a last resource transfusion of blood. On his
settlement in Belfast soon afterwards, his devotion to his profession,
combined with his varied literary attainments, raised him rapidly to a
prominent position. He was one of the original founders of the Linen
Hall Library; and a fine portrait marble bust in the Belfast Museum
commemorates the esteem in which he was justly held by the literati
of Belfast. Of a benevolent disposition, he took a great interest in
medical charities, especiall}- the General Hospital, where he was the
first doctor to originate clinical instruction. His appearance was well
known throughout the locality, as in knee-breeches and white stockings
he drove about in an old-fashioned gig, reading a book through a large
magnifv'ing glass, with his faithful servant "Mick" beside him.

In addition to a fine library, he possessed a museum of natural
history, and was also an antiquary devoted to Irish literature and
history. The Irish Harpers' Belfast Meeting in 1792 was his work.

He died at his house in Donegall Place in 1845, and was buried in
the ancient church}-ard of Layde, where a large Celtic cross forms an
appropriate memorial. An Irish elegy was composed to his memory.

His two sons, John and Alexander, settled in Dublin ; the former
well known as a successful ph\sician, the latter as a Commissioner of
National Education.

R. M. Young.

//y^a^^ ^:^i

^^CCJL.

Ti'\ ^EV/ -'OP.K
PUBihc LIBRARY

k^^OP i-'B>'<

111-© ari"

29

WILLIAM BRUCE, D.D.

TXT'ILLIAM Bruce, d.d. (1757-1841), second son of Samuel Bruce,
Presbyterian minister of Strand Street, Dublin, by his wife.
Rose Rainey of Magjherafelt, Co. Derr)-, was born in Dublin on 30th July,
1757. His family, having descent from the royal blood of Scotland,
gave to the Presbyterian ministry of Ireland seven ministers in six
generations (see Classon Porter's The Seven Bruces, in Northern
Whig, 6th April to 25th May, 1885 ; also reprinted separately;. Of
these, the first, Michael Bruce (1635-93) of Killinchy, married a
grand-daughter of his grand-uncle, Robert Bruce ( 1554- 163 ij, who
had anointed Anne of Denmark at Holyrood, 17th May, 1590.

William Bruce lost his father in his tenth year, and, after passing
through three Dublin schools, entered Trinity College as a pensioner
on 8th July, 1771. He supported himself by private tuition ; but in
June 1775 obtained a small scholarship, which he was allowed to hold
for four years without complying with the statutory requirements of
conformity. Graduating A.B. in 1776 (his tutor was Dr. Richardson,
afterwards rector of Clonfeacle), he went for a session {177^-77) to
Glasgow, and for two sessions {1777-79) to Warrington, where he
studied theology under John Aikin, D.D., father of Mrs. Barbauld.
Among his fellow-students at Warrington was Nathaniel Alexander,
successively Bishop of Clonfert (1801), Down and Connor (1804), and
Meath (1823-40).

On 8th August, 1779, he was called to Lisburn, in succession to
George Kennedy (1751-79), and ordained there, on 4th November,
by Bangor Presbytery, the presiding minister being Samuel Martin
Stephenson, M.D. (1742-1833;. Being in full sympathy with the
popular movement of that time, he at once joined, as a private, the
" Lisburn True Blues"; was hailed by Hon. H. S. Conway, M.P., at a

30 WILLIAM BRUCE, D.D.

volunteer gathering in Belfast (March, 1780), as "a patriot worthy of
the church of John Knox " ; took part in the sham fight of 20th July,
1781 ; and on 22nd July preached at Lisburn in a short blue swallow-
tail coat, with brass buttons (lettered "Lisburn True Blues"), red cuffs,
collar, and facings, white breeches, and black leggings. On 24th
March, 1782, he was called, by his father's old congregation of Strand
Street, Dublin, as colleague to John Moody, D.D. (1742-18 13), in
succession to Thomas Plunket (1725-78), great-grandfather of the
late Archbishop of Dublin. He accepted the call, and ministered in
Dublin for eight years. On loth November, 1783, he took his seat
in the National Convention of Volunteers in the Rotunda, Dublin, as
delegate from the County of the Town of Carrickfergus. In this
Convention he brought forward a proposal for vote by ballot at
parliamentary elections, and obtained a seconder, but no other vote.
In 1786 he was made D.D. of Glasgow. His Dublin congregation
was increased by the accession (March, 1787) of the Cooke Street
congregation, with its ex-minister, William Dunne, D.D. (1714-95),
who had married Bruce's father's cousin.

In October 1789 he was called to First Belfast, as colleague to
James Crombie, D.D. (1730-90), founder of the Belfast Academy (1786).
This call he declined ; but being again called (nth March, 1790), on
Crombie's death, and at the same time elected Principal of the Belfast
Academy, he accepted both posts. It does not appear that he was
admitted to his Belfast charge by the regular process of installation
(he says this term " should be expunged from the Presbyterian
vocabulary" — Christian Moderator, 1826, p. 309); instead, he "delivered
an inaugural address." His work at the Academy began on ist May,
1790, and lasted till November 1822. For some time, but not till
1802, he delivered lectures on history, belles lettres, and moral
philosophy. His policy was to gain for the Academy (originally
designed as a College) the place of a first-class school, and in this
he was eminently successful. His house-pupils were happy under
the care of his admirable wife. The famous barring-out of 12th

WILIJAM BRUCE, D.D. 3 1

April, 1792, roused the whole town, tried his mettle, and proved his
mastery.

His congregation throve, and it was necessary to enlarge the
gallery of his meeting-house. In 1794, the year of the publication of
Paine's Aj^e of Reason, he delivered, in his meeting-house, a series of
discourses on " Christian Evidences," which were so popular as to be
repeated. They were attended by the Vicar of Belfast (William
Bristow), who so arranged the Sunday services at St. Anne's as to
facilitate the attendance of parishioners on Bruce's defences of the
Christian foundations. They were attended also by Elizabeth
Hamilton, authoress of The Cottagers of Glenburnte, who has recorded
her impressions in some striking lines :

"Bared by his arm the living rock appeared
On which the structure of our faith is reared."

Dr. Bruce, who sometimes described himself as " an alarmed
Whig," became a power in Ulster on the side of the Constitution. He
had taken no part in the movement of the United Irishmen, and
strongly condemned its oath of association. He was for the gradual,
as distinguished from the immediate, emancipation of Roman
Catholics. A controversy on the constitutional question led to a
rupture of friendship with the patriot-poet, William Drennan, M.D.
The breach was healed on Drennan's death-bed. Both sides of the
controversy were presented in a pamphlet, Belfast Politics (i794.
i2mo), edited by Henry Joy (1754- 183 5). In the insurrectionary^
panic of 1798, Bruce sent his family to Whitehaven, and his boarders
to their homes. On 8th June, the day after the Battle of Antrim, he
enrolled himself as a private in the then formed Belfast Merchants'
Infantry, known as " The Black Cockades," this being the only sign of
uniform adopted. He was doing sentry-guard with his musket, on
1 2th June, when an officer of the Royal Artillery^ declared that "a finer
soldier than Dr. Bruce he did not see that day." He remained in the
corps as a private until it was disbanded. His sermon (25th September,
1803) to his companions-in-arms was printed under the title of

32 WILLIAM BRUCE, D.D.

The Christian Soldier (1803, i2mo). He wrote the Presbyterian
Address to George IV. on his visit to DubHn in 1821, and attracted
the King's notice by his " majestic form and noble bearing," when, as
Moderator of the Antrim Presbytery, he appeared on the deputation
which presented it.

He was one of the founders of the Belfast Literary Society, which
met frequently under his roof at the Academy. His Age of Homer
(1827, 8vo) was read to the Society, in parts, about 1805. His
Literary Essays (i8ii,4to; 2nd edit., 1818, 4to) were originally con-
tributed to the Transactions of the Society, in 1809 and 181 1. Other
essays, read to the Society, were published in the Newry Magazine.
He was a member also of the Royal Irish Academy, and among his
contributions to its transactions was his Memoir of James VI. (1828).

Decay of sight, which ended in blindness, led to his resigning his
ministry on 21st January, 1831, when his congregation presented him
with a service of plate. He had paid great attention to congregational
singing, drawing up a hymn-book in 1801 (enlarged 181 8, and in use
till 1 886) ; but he successfully discountenanced — not, however, on
religious grounds — a proposal (made in 1807) for the introduction of an
organ. He broke the established silence of Presbyterian interments
by originating the custom of addresses at the grave. His twenty-three
papers in the Christian Moderator (1826-28), on the Progress of Non-
subscription to Creeds, are a valuable contribution to the history of
Presbyterian liberalism, embodying extracts from original documents,
of which some are not now accessible. The type of Presbyterian
discipline which commended itself to him may be seen in the supple-
ment, " by a Member of the Presbytery of Antrim," to the Newry
edition (18 16, 12 mo) of Towgood's Dissenting Gentleman's Letters.
He did not favour the presence of lay-elders in Church courts; nor does
it appear that any persons were elected to this office in his congrega-
tion during his ministry. The Widows' Fund, founded (1750) through
the exertions of his grand-uncle, William Bruce (1702-55), publisher in
Dublin, was greatly improved by his efforts and judgment. At the

WILLIAM BRUCE, D.D. 33

death of Robert Black, D.D., in 18 17, the agency for the Regium
Domnn was open to him, but he forwarded the claims of another.

His theological views are to be found in his Treatise on the Being
and Attributes 0/ God {iSlS, 8vo), and in his Sermons on the Study of
the Bible and on the Doctrines of Christianity ( 1 824, 8vo ; 2nd edit., 1 826,
8vo). This latter raised a controversy, in which Bruce took no part
He limited fundamentals to points plainly declared in each of the four
Gospels ; restricted our Lord's creative work to the formation of this
planet ; and, while inclining to the doctrine of the pre-existence of
souls, yet held the annihilation of the wicked. His published opinions
were firmly held ; and on 27th September, 1839, he signed a declara-
tion that he had made no change in them. He joined in the formation
(9th April, 1 831) of the "Unitarian Society for the Diffusion of
Christian Knowledge," though he would have preferred the colourless
designation " A Tract Society." By Protestants of all sections his
presence was welcomed on the Committee of the Hibernian Bible
Society, an institution which he recommended (i 821) in letters (signed
Zuinglius) to the Newry Telegraph and Belfast News-Letter. He
had much to do with the establishment (1800) of the Union School
(afterwards the Lancasterian School), with which was connected a
Protestant, but otherwise undenominational, Sunday school.

In November 1836 he removed to Dublin with his daughter, Maria.
He died there on 27th Februar)% 1841, and was buried in St. George's
bur)-ing-ground, Dublin.

Dr. Bruce married (25th January, 1788; Susanna (/'. 1763; d. 22nd
February, 18 19), youngest daughter of Robert Hutton of Dublin, and
had twelve children, four of whom died in infanc}-. His eldest son,
Samuel Bruce (1789-1845;, was thefather of William Robert Bruce, K.C.,
and Master of the King's Bench in Ireland; of James Bruce, D.L., Co.
Tyrone; and of Samuel Bruce, J.P., of Norton Hall, Gloucestershire.

Among portraits of Dr. Bruce may be mentioned the full-length
figures of Dr. and Mrs. Bruce in the large picture (1804) by Robinson,
in the Council-room of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce ; the three-

34 WILLIAM BRUCE, D.D.

quarter length, by Thompson, in the Linen Hall Library, engraved
in mezzotint by Hodgetts (1819) ; a fine painting of head and bust in
the possession of James Bruce, D.L., at Thorndale ; and an engraving
(1827) by Adcock, from a miniature by Havvksett.

[Some further details of Dr. Bruce's literary works, and authorities
for his life, may be found in Diet. Nat. Biog., Vol. VII (1886).]

Alexander Gordon.

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37

WILLIAM HAMILTON DRUMMOND.

"VX^iLLiA.M Hamilton Dkummond, d.d., m.r.i.a., was the elder son
of William Drummond, a surgeon in the na\'y, and his wife
Rose {nee Hare), and was born in August 1778. The family was
originally of Scotch extraction, but had been settled in Larne for a
considerable period. The indentures still exist of the apprenticeship of
William Drummond to Dr. William Hamilton of Larne, to learn the
art of surgery. The relationship thus formed must have been a happy
one, for he called his son after his teacher. Surgeon Drummond left the
na\y in 1783, and started practice at Ball\-clare. He died soon after-
wards, leaving a widow with three }-oung children. The mother made
a gallant effort to educate her children, and for this purpose removed
to Belfast. William Hamilton, the subject of the present notice, spent
his schooldays at the Belfast Academ\-, under Dr. Crombie and Dr.
Bruce. After an attempt at commercial life in England, which proved
very uncongenial to his tastes, he entered Glasgow College in 1794.
He remained at Glasgow for the next four years, leaving in 1798, but
without taking his degree, probably on account of the smallness of the
family purse. The next two years were spent in tuition and study for
the ministry under the Presbytery of Armagh. On the 9th of April,
1800, he was licensed to preach the Gospel b)- the I'resbyter)- of
Antrim, and on the 26th of August of the same year was ordained as
minister of the Second Congregation, Belfast. He married soon after
his settlement, and in order to supplement his income started a school
at Mount Collier. Among his pupils may be mentioned Thomas
Romney Robinson, the astronomer. His influence as a preacher and
a man of letters appears to have been considerable. Among his wide
circle of friends was Bishop Percy of Dromore, who, in 18 10, used his
influence to obtain for him the degree of D.D. from Marischal College,

38 WILLIAM HAMILTON DRUMMOND.

Aberdeen. In 1815 Dr. Drummond received a unanimous invitation
to Strand Street, Dublin, and he remained as minister of that congre-
gation for the rest of his long life. He died in Dublin on the i6th of
October, 1865. It is as one of the original group of members, and as
a poet of some eminence in his day, that Drummond has a claim upon
the attention of the Belfast Literary Society. Of the qualities of his
poetry the Dictionary of National Biography speaks in the following
terms : " Drummond as a poet is natural, pleasing, and melodious,
rich in pathos, and full of enthusiasm. He is at his best in his very
vigorous hymns, the use of which has not been limited to his own
denomination." In early life he had felt the ardour of revolutionary
enthusiasm. While still a student he published The Man of Age,
a poem dealing with the wrongs and misgovernment of Ireland ; and
a letter written to his sister (afterwards married to Dr. Marshall of
Belfast) in 1799 shows how deeply the events of '98 had moved him,
" I mentioned in my last," so the letter runs, " that I had begun a
tragedy ; since then a new subject for the tragic muse has occurred,
which will give much greater scope for incident and pathos. The
Rebels will be the title of this new production. When my imagination
is much enamoured with a subject, my composition is generally rapid ;
so about three acts are already written, and all the plan digested in my
mind." Perhaps in this case discretion proved the better part of valour,
for The Rebels never saw the light.

Among Drummond's contributions to the Literary Society mention
should be made of the following : The Battle of Trafalgar : a Poem
in two books (1806); The First Book of T. Lucretius Carus on the
Nature of Things : translated into Ejiglish verse ( 1 808) ; The Giant's
Causeway (1811). The list of his writings subsequent to his removal
to Dublin is a long one. It may suffice to mention Clontarf: a
Poem (1822) ; The Life of Michael Sernetus ; and The Autobiography
of Archibald Hamilton Rowan, Esq., with Additions and Illustrations.

Drummond was married twice : first to Barbara, daughter of David
Tomb, Esq., of Belfast; and, secondly, to Catherine, daughter of Robert

WILLIAM HAMILTON IJRUMMOND. 39

Blackley, Esq., of Dublin. Of this second family, there survive
Isabella, widow of John Campbell, Esq., of Belfast ; the Rev. R<jbcrt
Blackley Drummond, B.A., Minister of St. Mark's Chapel, Edinbur^ijh;
and the Rev. James Drummond, M.A., LL.D., LITT. D., the Principal of
Manchester College, Oxford.

A beautiful portrait of Dfummond exists, painted soon after his
settlem.ent in Belfast by the well-known Irish painter, Robinson, him-
self a pupil of Romney. It is in the possession of the Rev. R. B.
Drummond of Edinburgh.

[Authorities : Memoir, by the Rev. J. Scott Porter, prefixed to a
volume of sermons published in 1867; Article in the Dictionary of
National Biography^ by the Rev. Ale.xander Gordcjn ; and ()rivatc
information.]

VV. H. Drummond.

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43

HENRY JOY (.75+-1835).

"LTenry Joy, jun., was born at Belfast on i6ih October, 1754. Mis
grandfather was Francis Joy (1697- 1790;, the founder of the
Belfast Nezus-Lettcr in 1737, whose two sons, Henry and Ivobert, suc-
ceeded to the management of that newspaper about 1746, when their
father removed to Randalstown, and commenced the paper-making
business there, after his second marriage, in the preceding year, to
widow Young («/i? Ann Morrison). The two sons, Henry and Robert,
were by his first wife, Margaret Martin, and his son Robert (i 722-1 785)
was father to the subject of this sketch.

In 1782, Henry Joy, jun., was taken into partnership by his uncle
and father, under the style of H. & R. Joy & Co., and on the death of
his father, Robert Joy, in 1785, the firm was changed to Henry Joy,
Sen. and Jun. Afterwards, on the death of his uncle Henry, January
20th, 1789, aged 69 years, he became the sole proprietor of the news-
paper. He continued the business under the style of Henr>' Joy & Co.,
and took over its entire management, acting also as its editor. In 1 795
he sold the newspaper to an Edinburgh Company — "Robert Allen, &c.,
with George Gordon as editor" — and retired from newspaper life; but
he held for some time the Cromac Paper-mills, in Belfast, which had
been in operation from about 1767.

He was a patron of the early drama in Belfast, and wrote the
critiques (anonymously) in the News-Letter, when Mrs. Siddons
appeared in 1785, 1802, and 1805, ^"<J ^'^o during the visits of
Kemble, Edmund Kean, ]\Iacready, and other later theatrical stars.
He also took a deep interest in the music of Ireland.

In conjunction with Dr. Bruce, he compiled a work called Belfast
Politics, which was rc[Hiblishcd, with some additions, in 1818, by
John Lawless, under the title oi Belfast Politics Enlarged. Henry Joy

44 HENRY JOY.

also compiled (anonymously) Historical Collectio7is relative to the
Town of Belfast, which was published by Berwick in 1817. The work
is a valuable one, and now (1901) scarce.

Benn, in his History of Belfast (Vol. II, p. 171), says of Henry Joy,
that " he was the only person whom he had ever known who was
really acquainted with the history of Old Belfast." From the list of
papers read before the Literary Society, it will be seen that he gave
the Society the benefit of his valuable researches. He was Secretary
1807-8 and 181 1-22, also President 1808-9.

Mr. Joy had five sons. The eldest, Robert, died at College, in
181 3, and the remaining four survived him. He died in his native
town, at his residence, Donegall Square North, April 15th, 1835, in
his 8 1 St year.

Isaac W. Ward.

45

JOHN TEMPLETON.

JOHN TEiMTLETcjN was born at ]5ridge Street, Belfast, in 1766, and
educated under Mr. Manson. His life is void of incident, and was
spent at Oranc^e Grove or Cranmore, Malone, where he acclimatized a
unique collection of foreic^n plants, and in frequent journeys thnmgh-
out Ulster collecting materials for a Natural History of Ireland. A
naturalist of the old school, when science had not become so specialized,
he attempted to include in his grasp the whole range of the natural
sciences, and with wonderful success.

In zoology he studied birds, fishes, molluscs, insects (tlvjugh
not to the same extent), and the smaller marine fauna ; in botan)-,
flowering plants and every branch of cryptogamic botany (mos.ses,
lichens, fungi, and algaj) ; geology also as far as then known, and
meteorology.

Dr. Thomas Taylor wrote in 1836 : " Thirty years ago his acquire-
ments in the natural history of organized beings rivalled that of any
individual in Europe": no exaggerated estimate to workers familiar
with the literature of the fields in which he laboured. Templeton was
not the originator of any new systems, but as an acute observer and
interpreter of nature was the Gilbert White of Ireland.

He intended to write a Natural History of Ireland, illustrated b)-
his own drawings; but whether from the great expense of such an
undertaking, or the desire to make it more complete, this work never
saw the light. How far the design was completed is not known ; but
the MS. volumes dealing with mosses and hepaticcX of his Hibernian
Flora, illustrated by life-like coloured drawings, show that if even a
part had been published it would have gained for the author a great
reputation.

46 JOHN TEMPLETON.

His MS. flora, journals, and other papers proved a rich quarr}' of
materials for other writers after his death ; and succeeding students of
the fauna and flora of Ireland have been astonished not only at the
extent but accuracy of his work.

During his lifetime he gave much assistance to Sir James Smith,
Turner, and other writers on Botany ; but a few papers in magazines,
and contributions to the Belfast Magazine, are his onl}- printed works.
An active and inspiring leader in all that concerned the intellectual
progress of Belfast, he was a founder of the Academical Institution
and of other schemes for the good of his native town. He died in
1825, and was buried at Clifton Street Cemetery-.

C. H. Waddell.

47

JOHN KNOX.

JOHN Knox appears to have been engaged in business in High
Street in 1784 (from an advertisement in the Belfast News-Letter
for May 28;, at the sign of the Large Watch. In 1787 he removed to
nearly opposite to Church Lane in the same street. Later he removed
to the south side of High Street, next door but one to Wilson's Court,
and retired from business in 18 16. Robert Xeill, watchmaker, after-
wa'-ds occupied the premises. There was a John Knox, watchmaker,
sworn a freeman of Belfast borough on September 11, 1729; and
John Knox, watchmaker, of High Street, advertised in the Belfast
News-Letter in ]\Iay 1758, perhaps related to the subject of this sketch.
In the Belfast News-Letter for Tuesday, August 2, 1774, there is an
advertisement by a John Knox of Lame, who was a clock and watch
maker, in which he describes a curious astronomical clock made by
him, but whether he was any relation of the John Knox who was in
business later in Belfast, or was the same person, it is now impossible
to indicate.

The latter apparently had astronomical tastes, from his correspon-
dence, which aopeared from time to time in the columns of the Belfast
News-Letter in the early part of the nineteenth century- on celestial
phenomena and tphemerides of the planets. Probably he was led to
this by having to use a transit instrument to ascertain the local time
for the purposes of his business, as there was no telegraphic communi-
cation at that period. He contributed a paper to the Royal Societj'
on Some PJienoniena of Colours exhibited by Thin Plates, which appeared
in the Philosophical Transactions, 181 5, pp. 161-181, His daughter
was married to James Ferguson, near the Sixmilewater, Ballyclare,
and their son, Samuel (afterwards Sir Samuel Ferguson, the well-known
poet and antiquarian), was born in his grandfather's house in High

Street, Belfast, in 181 2.

IS.\AC W. \V.\RD.

48

WILLIAxM BRUCE, A.B.

V3I7'ILLIAM Bruce, a.B. (1790-1868), second son of Dr. Bruce see

psige 29), was bom at Belfast on 16 November, 1790
education began at the Belfast Academy under his father. E
Trinity College, Dublin, on 2 July, 1804, he obtained a scY
(1807), which, as in his father's case, he was allowed to hoi ^t

conforming. His tutor was Dr. Millar. The session 1808- -nt

at Edinburgh Universit)-, where he attended the lecture^ ^ald

Stewart On 20 July, 1809, he graduated A.B. at Tr .ving

already entered [g May^ on theological studies under tt .on of

the Antrim Presb)i;er)^ He studied at Edinburgh iP i-nd was

licensed by Antrim Presb}i;er}' on 25 June, 1811. Rf 19 Jan.,

1812) a call to be his father's colleague in the j: of First

Belfast, he entered on his life-long charge, being ore 'i 3 March,

1812.

In 1 82 1 new arrangements were rendered nece nr the teaching
staff of the Belfast Academical Institution by the -^c ,6 April, aged
45) of \\'illiam Xeilson, D.D., from 181 8 headiTiaster of the classical
school, and professor of Classics, Hebrew, and Irish in the collegiate
department Among supporters of the Institution were some whose
political principles were r^arded as unconstitutional, and in conse-
quence the Government grant had been withdrav.-n. Dr. Bruce had
never been a supporter of the Institution ; but now his son came
forward as candidate for the Classical and Hebrew chair. Other
candidates were Reuben John Brjxe '^afterwards LL.D.), Robert Wylde
Kyle, a relative of the Provost of Trinity, ; and Mr. Repp, an Icelander,

^^^LLIAM bruce, a.b. 49

who had Government interest. The managers took unusual pains to
assure themselves of the competency of the candidates, hearing each
examine a class, and finding all well qualified. His theological views
brought opposition to Bruce, led by Dr. Cooke ; and the hostility
hitherto shown to the Institution by his family alienated from Bruce
two-thirds of the Arian vote. But efforts were made in his behalf by
Sir Robert Bateson, representing the Church of Ireland, and by Rev.
Edward Reid of Ramelton. Moderator of the General Synod of Ulster
{cf. Bible Christian, 1 841, p. 212, sq^). On 2- October he was elected by
a large majorit}-. The appointment conciliated a section which had
stood aloof from the Institution ; ultimately '27 Februar)-, 1829^ the
Government grant was renewed. Bruce held the Classical chair \ I lebrew
was assigned in 1822 to Thomas Dix Hincks, LL.D.) with solid repute,
until the opening of the Queen's College in 1849.

Theologically he followed closely in his father's steps, but polemics
were not to his taste. From 1832 he had, as colleague in his pastorate,
that brilliant scholar and vigorous champion of unpopular views, John
Scott Porter. In later life he headed, in the Antrim Presbyter)-, the
conser\-ative minority who withdrew to form the Northern Presb\-ter}' of
Antrim, of which he was elected '^4 April, 1862) the first moderator (the
two presbyteries were reunited 7 November, 1894). The jubilee of his
ordination (1862) was marked by the placing of stained-glass windows
in his meeting-house. The quiet steadfastness with which he advocated
his convictions, and the gentle amiability of his character, made him the
Nestor of his party. In connection with many of the charities of Belfast
he proved himself an admirable committee-man ; and as president of
the Belfast Society for Promoting Knowledge, he did much to improve
its valuable Library-. He was fond of agriculture, and carefully planted
his grounds at The Farm.

Retiring from active duty on 21 April, 1867, he preached for
the last time on the following Sunday (at Lame;, and died at The
Farm on 25 October, 1868. He was buried in the old churchward at
Holy wood.

50 WILLIAM BRUCE, A.B.

Bruce married (20 May, 1823) Jane Elizabeth {d. 27 November,
1878, aged 79) only child of William Smith of Barbadoes, and had a
family of four sons and six daughters, of whom five daughters remain
to honour their father's memory.

A mural monument, which includes his bust, was placed in his
meeting-house in 1883.

[For a notice of Bruce's few publications, with authorities for his
life, see Diet. Nat. Biog., Vol. VII (1886).]

Alexander Gordon.

5'

WILLIAM D. H. M'EWEN.

"p Ev. William Dalzell Huev M'Ewen, m.a., son of Rev.
George M'Ewen of Killinchy and Miss Dalzell of Bally reagh,
County Down; born at Killinchy, 1787; graduated in Glasgow
University, 1806; licensed to preach, 1807; Usher's Quay, Dublin,
1808-1813; Killileagh, 181 3- 18 17; Second Congregation, Belfast,
1817-1828; married Jane, daughter of Thomas Maxwell of Bally-
graffin, near Comber ; Professor of Elocution in Belfast Academical
Institution, 1818-1828; member of Committee of Belfast Librar\-,
1817-1828; died 15th July, 1828; buried in Meeting-house Green,
Killinchy.

During his eleven years' residence in Belfast, he identified himself
with the charitable and educational projects of the town. His warm
expansive sympathy with all that was great and good stimulated him
in promoting the cause of charity with a spirit truly worthy of a
Christian minister. Strongly attached to the principles of civil and
religious liberty, he counted among his friends the ostracized Dr.
Wm. Steel Dickson of Portaferry, at whose grave he officiated in the
presence of a few of his faithful friends : Archibald Hamilton Rowan,
whose character he has portrayed in a poem entitled Changes ; and
the liberal-minded Roman Catholic Primate, Dr. Crolly. The mention
of the latter's name recalls an incident which shows the spirit of
liberality which prevailed in Belfast at the time. On the 2nd May,
1825, Dr. Crolly gave a dinner to celebrate his elevation to the
Episcopal Chair of Down and Connor, and among the toasts of the
evening was " The Rev. Mr. M'Ewen and the Presbyterians of Down
and Antrim," in response to which Mr. M'Ewen bore testimony to the
high character of his esteemed friend.

52 WILLIAM D. n. M'EWEN.

His refined and literary tastes led him into the realms of the
poetic muse, and many graceful pieces from his pen appeared in the
Belfast Commercial Chronicle, over the nom de plume of " Walsingham."
Lough Cuan (i.e., Strangford) had a strong fascination for him, and
he devoted much learned research to the antiquities with which the
district abounds. An attractive speaker, an ornament to society, and
an ardent lover of his native land, his early death was deeply
lamented. He had a large circle of friends, to whom he had endeared
himself by his high regard for the conscientious convictions of those
who differed from him in matters of theology. Almost his last
appearance in public was at a meeting of " The Friends of Civil and
Religious Liberty," held in Kearn's Hotel, for the removal of the
disabilities of the Roman Catholics. An oil painting of him (artist
unknown) hangs in the vestry of All Souls Church, Elmwood Avenue.

S. Shannon Millin.

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55

WILLIAM NEILSON, D.D., M.R.LA.

V'l/'ILLIAM Neilson, D.D., M.R.LA., was bom OH 12 September, 1774.
His father, Rev. Moses Nelson, D.D., was Presb)-terian minister
at Rademon, Co. Down, and enjoyed the reputation of being the best
instructor of }'outh in the North of Ireland. William showed an early
aptitude for the study of language, especially Greek ; and, while a mere
youth, he became assistant in his father's school, and wrote an English
Grammar, which was extensively used throughout the Province of
Ulster. It held its ground, although deemed too philosophical, until
superseded by the Grammar of Lindley Murray.

He proceeded to Glasgow to study for the ministry, and while there
had the advantage of further classical instruction under John Young,
Professor of Greek at the University. A fast friendship sprung up
between professor and pupil, and the latter dedicated one of his works
(Elementa) to Young, who occasionally gave one of Neilson's books as
a prize in his class at Glasgow (James Tate's copy in British Museum).

Neilson was ordained pastor of the Presbyterian Congregation of
Dundalk in April 1799. Whilst residing there, he conducted a school,
which was attended by pupils of every religious denomination, and he
was proud to record every }'ear his young students taking honours in
the Protestant University of Dublin, the Roman Catholic College of
St. Patrick, Maynooth, and the Presbyterian Universities of Scotland.

In 1804 he published at Dundalk Greek Exercises in Syntax,
Ellipsis, Dialects, Prosody, and Metaphrasis. The book was dedicated
to Doctor John Kearney, Provost of Trinity College, Dublin. It shows
considerable scholarship, and became popular as a school-book.
It passed through no less than eight editions, the last having been
published in 1846, twenty-five years after Neilson's death. Two
editions were published in Edinburgh and two in London.

56 WILLIAM \EILSON, D.D., ^LR.I.A.

His next work was An Introduction to the Irish Language, published
in Dublin in 1808, and dedicated to His Excellency Philip, Earl of
Hardwicke, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Irish was the vernacular of
a large part of the country people of Down and Louth, and Neilson
had good opportunities of becoming acquainted with it. The book is
printed, except two extracts from literature, in Roman type, and is
valuable as a faithful representation of Irish as then spoken. The
power of arrangement and good taste in selection of examples exhi-
bited in the author's Greek books are noticeable in his Irish Grammar.
The dialogues and familiar phrases which form the second part are a
complete guide to the ideas as well as the phrases of the peasantry.
Part of the fourth is taken from the dialogues in a rare Irish book,
called Bolg an tsolair, published in Belfast in 1795 ; but the others are
original. The third part was to have contained extracts from litera-
ture, of which only a chapter of Proverbs from the Irish Bible, and part
of the series of stories known as The Sorrows of Story -telling, were
printed. A second edition, altogether in Irish type, was printed at
Achill, Co. Mayo, in 1843. The value and use of Irish is thus stated
by Neilson in the preface to his book : " That the Irish is the best
preserved dialect of the ancient and extensive Celtic language, is
allowed by the most liberal and enlightened antiquarians. To the
general scholar, therefore, a knowledge of it is of great importance ; as
it will enable him to read the origin of names and customs, which he
would seek in vain in any other tongue. To the inhabitant of Ireland
it is doubly interesting. In this language are preserved the venerable
annals of our country, with as much fidelity as is usually found in the
primitive records of any nation ; while the poetic and romantic com-
positions with which the Irish manuscripts abound, afford the finest
specimens of elegant taste and luxuriant imagination.

" But it is particularly, from the absolute necessity of under-
standing this language, in order to converse with the natives of a great
part of Ireland, that the study of it is indispensable. If Irish be no
longer the language of the court, or the senate, yet the pulpit and the

WILLIAM NEILSON, D.D., M.R.I.A. 57

bar require the use of it ; and he that would communicate moral
instruction, or investigate the claims of justice, must be versed in the
native tongue, if he expects to be generally understood, or to succeed
in his researches. In travelling, and the common occurrences of
agriculture and rural traffic, a knowledge of Irish is also absolutely
necessarj-."

Dr. \eilson frequently preached in Irish, and in connection with
this it may be worth mentioning an amusing incident. In 1798 he had
occasion to visit his father at Rademon, and embraced the opportunity
of delivering one of his Irish discourses. A large assemblage of all
denominations attended, and shortly after the commencement of the
service, a lieutenant of yeomanry entered with a number of soldiers,
who, finding all pews filled, occupied the stairs and neighbourhood of
pulpit. At the conclusion of the service, the lieutenant arrested
Neilson, and seized his manuscript, on the charge that he had been
preaching treason and sedition, although neither the officer nor his men
understood a word of the discourse, and although it was universally
known that Dr. Xeilson and all his family, whilst they entertained
liberal and progressive \-iews in religion and politics, were staunch
loyalists. Having been marched to Downpatrick jail, he was permitted
by the governor to dine and sleep at the house of his brother, the Rev.
James Xelson, D.D., who became responsible for his appearance next
morning. At the sessions court he was called on to translate into
English his sermon, as no interpreter could be procured. It was, like
all his addresses, a plain, practical, moral discourse, inculcating piety,
goodwill, and peace. On the charge being dismissed, he addressed the
Bench with a quiet, humorous smile : " Gentlemen, you depended on
myself for the correctness of the translation ; you might as well have
taken my own word as an assurance of my loyalty."

He was an excellent musician, and attached to the exquisite
melodies of his country'. He established and fostered the " Irish Harp
Society for the Blind " in Belfast.

In 1 8 10, he published, in Dublin, Greek Idioms Exhibited in Select

58 WILLIAM NEILSON, D.D., M.R.LA.

Passages from the Best Authors. The curious frontispiece, entitled
" Ki^vTos Uba^," was drawn by his brother, J. A. Neilson, a Doctor of
Physic in Dundalk.

Neilson became Professor of Hebrew in Belfast College, and Head-
master in the Classical School in the Belfast Academical Institution
in 1818 : an office which he held till his death. In 1820 he published
Elenienta Linguae Graecae, of which a second edition appeared in Edin-
burgh in 1 82 1. He also published a Key to the Greek Exercises. His
speculations on the more intricate and philosophical parts of grammar
and language, some of which appeared in Valpfs Classical Journal,
were refined and philosophical.

Neilson was elected to the Greek Chair in the University of
Glasgow, but died before entering on the duties of his office.

He died on 26 April, 1821, before he completed his forty-seventh
year, and was buried at Rademon, in Co. Down ; about 15,000 persons,
it is estimated, attending the funeral.

His mother was Catherine Welsh, who was fifth in descent from
Elizabeth, youngest daughter of John Knox, the great Reformer.

Neilson was elected on 4 May, 1818, a member of the Belfast
Literary Society, and was President in 1819-20. Contributed papers,
December 7, 181 8, On Moods; October 4, 18 19, Presidential Address;
May I, 1^20, Remarks on Gaelic Authoj's and Antiquities, particularly
upon Ossian.

In the foregoing it will be observed the name is spelled differently
by father and son, and an explanation may be desirable.

There is cut on a stone slab over the door of Rademon Meeting-
house: "This house was built in the year of our Lord, 1787, which
was the 21st year of the Rev. Moses Nelson's ministry in this place."

On the clock, inside same building, there is: "Ann. 23, Ministerii
Mos. Neilson, A.D. 1789." This clearly shows that, between 1787 and
1789, Rev. Moses Nelson changed the spelling. William, the subject
of this memoir, was the only one out of seven sons who adopted the
same.

\MLLIAM XEILSON, D.D., M.R.I..\. $9

It is known that, eventually, the Rev. Moses Nelson, ha\nng traced
his ancestf}- to Niall of the Nine Hostages, through the O'Neills,
stated that the correct spelling should have been Nielson; and this
statement is confirmed in a letter written by him on the 7th October,
1 82 1, to the Secretan,- of the Belfast Academical Institution, signed
M. Nielson, and copy of which is in the minutes of the Joint Board of
that Institution, page 45.

[References. — Dictwnary of National Biography, Vol XL, page
I ^j, by Norman Moore ; The History of Dundalk, by D' Alton and
O'Flangan, 1864 ; Reminiscefucs of a Long Life, by \V. D. Killen, LL.D.,
1902 ; Notes and Queries, Sth series, IX, January- 25, '96, pages 75 and
76 ; Funeral Address, by Rev. W. D. H. MEwen.]

Joseph Nelson, m.d.

6o

JAMES THOMSON, A.M., LL.D.
(1786-1849).

A MONG the little group of remarkable men who, in the early part of
last century, helped to acquire for Belfast the reputation for
literary and scientific culture which it then enjoyed, one of the
most notable was James Thomson, Headmaster of the school of
" Arithmetic, Bookkeeping, and Geography " in the xA.cademical
Institution, and Professor of Mathematics in its collegiate department.
The son of a humble County Down farmer, he, by dint of high
intellectual power and indomitable perseverance, pushed his way to
the position we have mentioned, and in later years achieved a fame
which has proved lasting.

He was born on November 13th, 1786, in the farmhouse of
Annaghmore, now called Spamount, near Ballynahinch. His father
was also a James Thomson ; his mother's maiden name was Agnes
Nesbit. I have seen an extract from the register of births and deaths,
carefully kept in the old family Bible, which records, in due order, the
nativities of all the six children of this worthy couple — Robert, Kitty^
Mary, John, James, and Elizabeth. Young James very early exhibited
a scientific bent. But he had to work for long without the aid of any
teaching except what his father was able to give him and the other
children, and, indeed, without even suitable books, and he was obliged,
besides, to take his share in the uncongenial but very necessary
labours of the farm. In spite of these disadvantages, however, he
steadily added to his knowledge in a manner quite remarkable for a
lad so circumstanced. It is said that at the age of 11 or 12 he had
found out for himself the art of constructing sundials for any latitude,
and had made several. His first, and indeed his only, school was

JAMES THOMSON, A.M., LL.I). 6l

one of the old-fasliioned countr)^ academies, usually tauf,dit by clerg-y-
men, of which there were in those days quite a number in the North
of Ireland, and which, in the pro-Intermediate period, undoubtedly did
excellent ser\'ice to the cause of education. It was situated at
Ballykine, near Balhnahinch, and was taught by the Rev. Samuel
Edgar, D.D., father of the better-known Rev. John Edgar, D.D., of
Belfast. In its day this humble seminary produced crop after crop of
well-taught boys, not a few of whom subsequently rose to prominence,
and several, like Thomson, to fame.

The Thomsons were Presbyterians, and it was the ambition of the
father, as well as his own desire, that James should become a Presby-
terian clergyman. But he was 24 years of age before he could manage
to enter college with a view to preparation for this office, a fact
which tells its own tale as to the circumstances of the family. In
1 8 10, however, he at last made his way to Glasgow, then the usual
resort of Ulster students. The entry of his matriculation in the
University Album is interesting. It runs thus : — 1810. Jacobus
Thomson filius natu 2 dus Jacob i agrico lae hi parochia de Ballynahinch
171 comitatu de Doivne. At Glasgow he led the usual life of a student
with whom money was not too plentiful, attending his classes during
the winter, and in summer replenishing his empt)- purse by teaching.
In 1812 he graduated A.M. Two years later the Academical Insti-
tution was opened in Belfast, and he was elected Headmaster, and
next year Professor, as already mentioned.

All the accounts of Thomson which I have heard agree that he
was not only a mathematician of a high order, but an almost ideal
teacher, painstaking, inspiring, and resourceful. One at least of his
old pupils at the Institution still survives, and by him I have been told
many an anecdote of him, and man)' an appreciative reminiscence of
his work.

It was in Belfast that he prepared and published most of the
school-books in which his name still lives. Some of them long
enjo\-ed great popularity, and undoubtedly did good educational

62 JAMES THOMSON, A.M., LL.D.

work in their day, taking the place of books which were far inferior.
Thomson's Arithmetic used to be a familiar word in the schoolboy's
mouth. It was published in 1 8 19 by the well-known old Belfast
bookseller, Joseph Smyth, 34, High Street, and a seventy-second
edition of it appeared not many years ago. The Geography was
nearly, if not quite, as well known. It was issued in 1827 by Simms
and M'Intyre, Donegall Street. Trigonometry, Plane and Spherical
appeared in 1820. Thomson's other works were — The Phenomena of
the Heavens (Belfast, 1827); The Differential and Integral Calctdus
(1831) ; an edition of Euclid {i2>^4) ; an Atlas of Modern Geography,
and an Algebra (1844). He also contributed to various periodical
publications, among the rest to the old Belfast Magazine. One of the
most interesting of his articles in it was his "Recollections of the Battle
of Ballynahinch, by an Eyewitness," which appeared in February
1825. He was a lad of 12 at the date of that deplorable affair, and
he describes in graphic language how, in company with a servant
maid, who went to carry to the rebels, posted on Ednavady hill, the
supplies of oatcake, bacon, potatoes, etc., for which his father had been
requisitioned, he visited their camp and saw the peasant-soldiers,
attired in their Sunday clothes, with green ribbons in their hats, and
in their hands the old flint-lock muskets and pikes eight or nine feet
long, which were to annihilate British power in Ireland. He recounts
also some of the horrors of the battle which ensued on the following
day, and which time never erased from his vaQvaoxy — the roar of the
cannon, the cries of victors and vanquished, the sight of Ball\-nahinch
in flames, and of the weary and wounded fugitives who, at niglitfall,
sought refuge at his father's door.

In Belfast Thomson built, in what was then a field opposite the
Institution, two houses, now known as 15 and 16 College Square East.
One of these he let, and in the other he lived. This latter house will
always be venerable to Belfast men as the birthplace of our illustrious
townsman. Lord Kelvin. Thomson was one of the founders of
Fisherwick Place Church, which was opened in 1827, and is now

JAMES THOMSON, A.M., LL.D. 63

a thing of the past. It is said that its plan was practically his work.
A little incident in his Belfast life is worth the telling here for the
kindly light which it throws on his character. Mrs. Thomson {rue
Margaret Gardiner, daughter of William Gardiner of Glasgow) died
in 1830, leaving him with se\en children, the youngest an infant. He
was asked where he was going to have the children's nurser>', now
that they were motherless. " In m\' own bedroom," was his reply ;
and there, accordingly, the little cots were placed, and the children
brought up under his own eye. He educated them with the tenderest
and most sedulous care. There are people still living who remember
him sitting with them in the family pew in Fisherwick Place, listening
to Dr. Morgan's preaching.

In 1832 the eighteen years of his Belfast life were terminated by
his appointment to the Chair of Mathematics in his ahua juater at
Glasgow. Here he and his children lived in the Professors' Court
of the old College (now demolished) in High Street, and here he dis-
pla)-ed the same characteristics and achieved the same success which
had marked his teaching in Belfast. After holding this Chair for
seventeen years, he died on the 12th Januar}% 1849. Two of his sons
became distinguished professors — James, a man of profound abilit>^
(born in Belfast 1822, died in Glasgow 1892), who was Professor of
Engineering in Queen's College, Belfast, from 1857 to 1873, and from
1873 till 1889 Professor of the same subject in Glasgow ; and William,
now Lord Kelvin, of whose eminence and fame it is unnecessary' to
speak. He was born in Belfast in 1824, and we hope he may long
live to serve the cause of science and mankind.

Thomson received the degree of LL.D., honoris causa, from Glasgow
University in 1829. A good portrait of him, by Grahame Gilbert, hangs
in Lord Kelvin's house.

Thomas Hamilton.

v^^^**.*^ (^su^

£U^*^>^

T>* KEY/ YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTTOR, LSK»«.
TILDSN FOUNDATIOb^fe

67

WILLIAM CAIRNS, LL.D.

\The following articU by ll'uuam BottomUy is extracUd from the seccmd
volutm of Minute Books of tfie Society. It zvas written for the
''Northern Whig."]

/^N Friday, the 2ist inst [April, 1849], died in the 64th year of his
^■"^ age, at his residence, College Square, Belfast, the Rev. William
Cairns, LL.D., Professor of Logic and Belles Lettres in the Royal
Belfast Institution. He was appointed to his professorship in the
year 18 14, being the year of the establishment of the Collegiate
Department in the Institution, and he had, consequently, at his death,
just completed his thirt}--third session. He received his education in
Glasgow College, and was afterwards a minister of the United Secession
Church for six years at Johnshaven, near Montrose, whence he was
elected to the chair which he held in the Belfast Institution. The
duties of that chair were discharged by him with a zeal and assiduit>-
rarely equalled ; and the metaphysical turn of his mind, and his
extensive acquaintance with the speculations of the various schools of
mental philosophy, imparted a value to his instructions which those
only who attended his lectures can appreciate. His heart was in his
work ; and to all his students he was ever ready to extend the aid of
his counsels and his encouragement.

It was for literarj- criticism, however, that the elegance of his
taste, the soundness of his judgment, and the extent of his reading,
eminently fitted him. The analysis of language, the nice discrimina-
tion of the beauties of style, the unfolding of the riches of our great
authors, whether of prose or of poetr>-, were the subjects which called
forth all his powers and gave eloquence to his tongue. His moral
character was not less admirable than were his intellectual powers.
To a fervent piety, and a sincere attachment to his own religious

68 WILLIAM CAIRNS, LL.D.

opinions, he united perfect toleration and charity towards those who
differed from him. Without rehnquishing any of his own views, for
the purpose of conciHation, he }'et had the happy art of Hving- at peace
with all parties, of appreciating the truth which might lie in conflicting
opinions, and of detecting real agreement amidst apparent differences.
An absence of every tinge of bigotry or sectarianism, and the courtesy
and kindness of his manners, gained him the respect of all without
provoking the hostility of any. These were his public virtues : of
the warmth of his affection, the strength of his friendship, and the
gentleness of his disposition, his friends will long cherish the remem-
brance. It remains to be added that he was a warm friend of all the
philosophical and scientific institutions of the town, and especially of
the Literary Society, of which he was Secretary for twenty years,
watching over its interests and promoting its efficiency by every means
in his power.

He drew up and printed for the use of his class a comprehensive
outline of the subjects treated in his lectures ; and in 1844 he published
an elaborate work on Aloral Freedom, characterized by a subtlety of
investigation which, whilst it shows the intellectual bias and powers
of the writer, is not likely to become familiar to any save the acute
student of metaphysical science.

69

THOMAS DIX HINCKS, LL.D.

'npHOMAS DiX HiNCKS was born in Dublin on June 24th, 1767, and
baptized in Strand Street Fresb\-terian Church in that cit\'. His
parents, who were English, sent him to Chester and Xantwich for his
early education, then to Dr. Mercer's Academy at Crumlin, near
Dublin. Thence he entered Trinity College, Dublin, and after his
undergraduate course there studied Theology at Hackney Noncon-
formist College. His first and only ministerial charge was Prince's
Street Presbyterian Church in Cork. He was the founder and first
Secretary of the Cork Literary and Philosophical Institution, for which
he obtained a liberal act of incorporation from the Irish Parliament,
through his friendship with some of the leading men of the day.
He published a series of letters to his fellow-townsmen in defence of
the Christian religion, which were afterwards republished, with his
permission, by the Church of England Society for Discountenancing
Vice — a rare compliment to a Nonconformist minister.

Resigning his charge in Cork in 181 5, he became tutor of the
Fermoy Academy, and there his energy found vent in preparing and
publishing various text-books, of which his Afide?it Geography and
History and Greek Lexicon for Schools were speciall}' successful.

In 1 82 1 he was appointed head of the Classical Department in the
Royal Academical Institution in Belfast, and in 1822 also Professor of
Hebrew in the College Department. The former post he held till
1836, and the latter till the opening of the Queen's College in 1849.

He was a profound Hebrew and Greek scholar, was familiar with
the principal modern European tongues, and was also distinguished
in natural and experimental science. He was a member of the Royal
Irish Academy and many other learned societies, and in 1834 received
the honorary degree of LL.D. from Glasgow University.

70 THOMAS DIX HINCKS, LL.D.

He joined the Belfast Literary Society in October 1821, was twice
President, and read many papers on such varied subjects as the
Hebrew vowels, the origin and use of Saltpetre, England in the reign
of Edward VI., Lexicography, and the Bogs of Ireland.

Dr. Hincks died at his house in Murray's Terrace, Belfast, on
February 24, 1857, in the 90th year of his age, and was buried in the
churchyard of Killyleagh, Co. Down, his eldest son's parish. He left
five sons and two daughters. Four sons became clergymen — two in
the Episcopal and two in the Presbyterian Church ; one of the former,
Dr. Edward Hincks of Killyleagh, becoming a celebrated Oriental
scholar, whose life is noticed elsewhere in this volume. The youngest
son, Francis, went early to Canada, where he became Finance Minister
and Premier, then Governor of the Barbadoes, and later of British
Guiana.

One who remembers Dr. Hincks writes: "I am afraid there cannot
be many now in Belfast who would remember the dear old man, with
his high intellectual forehead, crowned with snowy hair, and his keen
bright eyes : he was always so interested in all that went on around
him. His old-fashioned courtesy and wide sympathy made him very
attractive."

Cecil E. Shaw.

71

HENRY MONTGOMERY.

Uenry Montgomery, ll.d. (1788- 1865), fifth son and youngest
child of Archibald Montgomery, was born at Boltnaconnel
House, Killead, on i6th January, 1788. I lis mother was Sarah,
daughter of William Campbell of Killealy. His father, who had held
a volunteer commission in 1778, was commonly called Lieutenant
Montgomery. Two of Dr. Montgomery's brothers, William and John,
were engaged as United Irishmen in the Battle of Antrim, 7th June,
1798 ; a couple of days later, Boltnaconnel House was plundered and
burned by yeomanry in search of fugitives. After passing through
the schools of Alexander Greer at Lyle Hill (1799- 1802), and of
Rev, Nathaniel Alexander at Crumlin (1802-4), Montgomery entered
Glasgow University in November 1804. Taking his M.A. in 1807, he
acted as tutor for some months in the family of Thomas Stewart of
Seapark, Carrickfergus, and returned to Glasgow for a session in the
divinity classes.

He preached his first sermon at Killead on 8th January, 1809,
though not licensed till 5th February by Templepatrick Bresbytery.
In May he was a candidate for the vacant charge of Uonegore, but his
refusal to subscribe the Westminster Confession made way for the
successful candidature of his life-long antagonist. Dr. Cooke. They
were born in the same year, according to the usual account, though
Rev. W. T. Latimer holds that Dr. Cooke was about five years the
senior of Montgomery (^History of the Irish Presbyterians^ 2nd edition,
1902, p. 427). By Samuel Martin Stephenson, M.D., Montgomery
was introduced to the congregation of Dunmurry {Irish Unitarian
Magazine, 1847, p. 290), vacant by the removal of Andrew George
Malcolm, D.D. : he preached there on nth June, 1809; was called on
9th July, and ordained on 14th September by Bangor Presbytery.

72 HENRY MONTGOMERY.

The stipend was £86 Irish (£79 7s. 8}d. sterling) with regiiim donum,
£^0 Irish {£4.6 IS. id. sterling), and a glebe of eight acres. This was
Montgomery's life-long pastoral settlement. As time went on, the
emoluments increased.

At Dunmurry he kept school from the first, having boarders at the
manse from 181 5. As a teacher he soon acquired repute, and on
the retirement of James Knowles became candidate for the head-
mastership of the English School in the Belfast Academical Institu-
tion. Coincident with this candidature was an invitation to preach, on
trial, at Killeleagh, the charge to which Dr. Cooke was subsequently
elected. Montgomery declined the overture, made to him through
Archibald Hamilton Rowan. He was elected headmaster on 3rd
October, 18 17 ; his congregation agreeing that he should reside at the
Institution. Till June 1839 he held the mastership, and thereby
exercised a remarkable influence on the literary education of Ulster.
Beginning with six boarders, he brought the number to fifty-two, and
trebled the attendance of day-pupils. He was not sparing of the rod,
but his scholars idolized him. All " children of the manse " he
invariably taught without fee. When, in after life, his pupils dis-
tinguished themselves, it was with pardonable pride that he would
make known the fact, " I taught the boy !" His connection with the
Institution gave him a personal interest in its defence, in view of the
theological alarm raised by Dr. Cooke from 1821 and onward.

As early as June 181 3, Montgomery had made his mark as a
debater in the General Synod of Ulster ; taking up the cause of
William Steel Dickson, D.D., against the dominant influence of
Robert Black, D.D. (in theology a liberal, but in synodical politics a
strict constitutional conservative). He was encouraged to be a candi-
date fur the Synod clerkship, but withdrew in favour of Rev. William
Porter of Newtownlimavady. At the age of thirty, he was elected
(30th June, 1818) Moderator of Synod.

It would be out of place to enter here on the details of those
synodical conflicts, beginning at Newry in 1822, and closing at

HENRY MONTGOMERY. 73

Lurgan in 1829, throughout which Montgomery and Cooke encoun-
tered each other in a war of giants. To define Montgomery's position,
it may suffice to say that, since 1783, owing to the action of William
Campbell, D.D., subscription had so far been in abeyance, that ten out
of the fourteen presbyteries composing the Synod had come to treat it
as optional. The code of discipline adopted in 1824 embodied a com-
promise, suggested by Samuel Hanna, D.D., allowing presbyteries either
to proceed by way of subscription, or to adopt the alternative of an
examination, of whose sufficiency they were to be the judges. This
compromise it was Montgomery's object to maintain ; and in this
object, pursued with all his matchless eloquence, he failed. No speech
of his made a more extraordinary impression than that at Strabane
(1827) in favour of religious liberty. It was widely circulated ; and
the admiration it excited was testified by a presentation of plate to its
author, from members of various denominations, including Roman
Catholics. But the appointment (1828) of a synodical committee, on
the motion of Rev. James Morell of Ballybay, for the uniform
theological examination of all candidates, was fatal to Montgomery's
hopes. The " Remonstrance" of i6th October, 1828, was followed by
the secession of 1829, and the formation of the Remonstrant Synod
of Ulster on 25th May, 1830.

From 181 3 Montgomery had advocated Roman Catholic emanci-
pation; on 27th January, 1829, he spoke on this subject from the altar
of St. Patrick's, Belfast, at a meeting presided over by William Crolly,
D.D., Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese. To the repeal of the
Union he was strongly opposed ; his powerful letter to O'Connell
(ist February, 1831) was very effective in detaching Irish liberals from
O'Connell's agitation. The National System of Education, introduced
in 1 83 1, found in him a warm advocate. He advocated also the dis-
establishment of the Irish Church, giving evidence in this sense before
parliamentary committees in 1832. The degree of LL.D. was conferred
upon him by Glasgow University in 1833. His final encounter with
Dr. Cooke had reference to the affairs of the Belfast Academical

74 HENRV MONTGOMERY.

Institution. On the 13th April, 1841, he defeated Cooke's proposal to
exclude Arian professors of theolog}- from seats in the facult)-. He
had lectured to nonsubscribing di\-init)' students from 1832, and was
appointed Professor of Ecclesiastical Histor\- and Pastoral Theology
on lOth July, 1838: the office was without salar}- imtil ''1847; the
Government endowed the chair with ;^I50 per annum.

In denominational matters, Montgomery naturally took a promi-
nent part. His Creed of an Arian (1830) expressed his life-long
con\-ictions ; hence, in his latter days, the changes of opinion in his
denomination called forth his unqualified resistance. His political
views became more conservative. It is pleasing to add that, towards
the end of his life, he was on terms of good friendship with his old
opponent. Dr. Cooke. Indeed there were few, in whatever rank, and
with whatever initial prejudice, who could come into contact with
Heniy Montgomerj-, in the way of personal intercourse, and fail to be
captivated by his noble presence, his suasive manners, and his fasci-
nating address. He has been described as " a bom diplomatist" The
secret of his influence with successive Governments lay greatly in his
personal charm. When he fell ill in London, after his exertions on
behalf of the Dissenters' Chapels Act (1844}, Sir Robert Peel, whose
support of the measure ^Montgomerj' had obtained, sent daih- to
inquire after his health. His permanent fame is that of an orator.
While the printed page presen-es the beaut}- of his language, the skill
of his argument, the flow of his pathos, and the edge of his satire, it
cannot convey the thrilling tones of his voice of peculiar sweetness, or
the exquisite grace of his perfect deliver)-.

There is no collection of Montgomer>-'s speeches, though several of
them have been frequently reprinted. Relying on a copious memory-,
he rarely prepared more than a few notes, either for the pulpit or for
other public efforts ; and, beyond occasional sermons, he published little.
The value of his unfinished Outlines of the History of Presbyterianism
in Ireland consists chiefly in its graphic sketches of personages and
incidents made familiar to him in the course of his long career.

HENRY MONTGOMERY. 75

Having endured, with great fortitude, the agony of a painful dis-
order (calcukis), Montgomery died at The Glebe, Dunmurry, on i8th
December, 1865, and was buried in the ground behind his meeting-
house. At his funeral, attended by "a thousand gentlemen of Ulster,"
Bishop Knox (afterwards Primate) and Dr. Cooke were present ;
Dean Bagot and Rev. John Scott Porter walked side by side,

Montgomery married (6th April, 181 2) Elizabeth (died i6th
January, 1872, aged 78), fourth daughter of Hugh Swan of Summerhill,
County Antrim. He had ten children, five of whom died under age.
His surviving daughter is the widow of his biographer, the late Rev.
John Armstrong Crozier, A.B.

Of portraits of him, the best is that painted (1845) by John
Prescott Knight; engraved by Thomas Lupton (1847) ^"cl by T. G.
Flowers (1874).

[Fuller references to Dr. Montgomery's controversies, with autho-
rities for his life, may be found in Diet. Nat. Biog., Vol. XXXVHI.
(1894)-]

Alexander Gordon.

7^

GEORGE CRAWFORD HYNDMAN.

^ EORGE Crawford Hyndman, born in or near Belfast on 24th
^■"^ October, 1796, was a son of James Hyndman and Cherry
Crawford and largely of Scottish descent, his paternal ancestors having
migrated from Renfrewshire to County Antrim in the reign of Charles
the Second and his maternal ancestors, though Irish, having inter-
married on at least two occasions with natives of North Britain. His
education began in his sixth year under E. Ramsey and was continued
at the Belfast Academy, during the principalship of Dr. Bruce, where
he distinguished himself by proficiency in writing, mathematics,
English, Latin and Greek before completing his thirteenth year, as
evidenced by the testimonials borne away by him.

His early ambition was to study medicine, but family exigencies
compelled him to adopt a business career and he became an auctioneer,
valuator and house furnisher, in which vocations he displayed
unassuming ability and unswerving integrity and acquired an acumen
in natural and industrial commodities and art treasures which was
unrivalled in Ulster and probably unsurpassed in Ireland.

But, although denied the profession of his desire, his passion for
scientific pursuits and allegiance to the great mother. Nature, which
underlay that predilection, were indomitable. Every available hour
was devoted by him to extending the range of practical knowledge of
animal and vegetable life. At one time he nursed a crayfish while
casting the shell which hindered its growth ; at another he held an
earwig in captivity that he might note the process of incubation by
which the species was preserved. Conchology, however, was his chiefest
and most absorbing study. In many summers his holidays were spent
on board the Fairy and Gannet, dredging the shores of Ulster, the
opposite coast and the intermediate channel, notes and reports of some
of which operations were presented to the British Association and

GEORGE CRAWIORD 1 1 VN DM AN. "jy

appear in its transactions for the years 1842, 1857, 1858, and 1859.
Amongst thecrustaceans thus dredged up in Belfast Bay a n^w Beri/iardus
Streblonyx was found and attributed, in common with others similarly
brought t(j light b\' him, the cognomen Hynd))ianni in courtesy to the
discoverer. The thoroughness of his investigations in that direction
may be estimated by a reference to Mr. Lloyd I'raeger's Marine Shells
of t lie NortJi of Ireland.

His generic collection of British Shells, admittedly unique in its
extent and completeness, was transferred, along with his copy of the
Annals and Magazine of Natural History^ to the Belfast Museum,
of which institution he had been one of the original founders and
proprietors, as well as having been the first Secretary, once President,
for some time Vice-President and ever an active member of Council
of the Natural History and Philosophical Society, by which the
Museum had been projected and its usefulness was fostered and
supplemented. With a view to aid in the removal of a debt
which was hanging over the Society, and which others had materially
reduced, he, in the December of 1856, delivered a course of lectures on
Conchology in sequence to an introductory address by his friend, the
late Mr. Richard Davison, M.P. But in addition to British Shells he
had made a general collection of Foreign Shells and Insects now
preserved in the Mechanics' Institute of Lurgan,

He was likewise one of a coterie of gentlemen who, in the year 1820,
formed a Botanical and tlorticultural Association and subsequently
established that favourite resort till lately known as the Belfast
Botanic Gardens. He acted on its Board of Management, was a
constant visitor to its grounds and a frequent contributor to its
collections, as he also was to that of the Museum where may be seen
a young crocodile and a chameleon, once domesticated pets of his.
When the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club was formed early in 1863, he
became a member of that Society and was elected its President in
the following year, taking part in its excursions and always evincing
deep interest in its proceedings.

78 GEORGE CRAWFORD HYNDMAN.

He never prepared any treatise for the press, but he occasionally
furnished communications to the scientific periodicals. Nevertheless,
his labours in the prosecution of his favourite branch of science
were widely known and highly appreciated, while his important con-
tributions to a knowledge of the distribution of the fauna of Ireland
and his unfailing accuracy and unselfish generosity in placing his wide
attainments in Natural History unreservedly at the service of his
brother naturalists have been testified in the monographs and other
publications of most of them and his reputation gained gracious
acknowledgment from the late Prince Consort who presented him
with a copy of MacGillivray's Natural History of Deeside and Braemar,
published after the author's death by command of Queen Victoria for
private circulation.

In the arena of general education George Crawford Hyndman also
displayed zealous concern and for many \-ears bore an active share in
the management of the Belfast Academical Institution.

But, while it may be said that outside his business life his energies
were merely devoted to scientific and educational subjects, his wide
human s}-mpathies were engaged in many other directions. Although
he displayed no proficiency in the musical art, he was a lover of
harmony and sweet sounds and encouraged the cultivation and
enjoyment of them among his fellow townsmen. His name was to
that intent inscribed upon the roll of members of the old Anacreontic
Society and was also upon the register of Proprietors of the Ulster
Hall Company. Indeed, there was no local effort for the moral or
intellectual elevation and mechanical or artistic culture of the com-
munity from which he withheld his ardent support, while no public
charity or worthy fellow being in adversity ever appealed to him
in vain for solicitude and material aid. He was a man and nothing
human was an object of indifference to him.

In the year 1836 he became a member of the Belfast Literary
Society and once occupied the chair as its President. His last
contribution to its proceedings was a dissertation on Darwin's Theory

• GEORGE CRAWFORD IIYNDMAN. 79

Respecting the Origiu of Species, which subject, then novel, was spiritedly
discussed and by several of those present on the occasion somewhat
fervently combated.

George Crawford Hyndman never married and for some years
lived in solitude although by no means unresponsive to the attractions
of family life. Me was a genial and interesting companion and a
sincere, constant and sympathetic friend.

While the ministry of nature and the revelations of the universe
may have absorbed his deepest regard, their ascendency enriched and
ennobled his personality in its relation to practical every-day life, in
which he was single-minded and quick-tempered, frank, direct, just
and impatient of wrong, doing as he would be (although not always
was) done by, reverent, compassionate, beneficent, cheerful, animated
and fond of innocent fun, devoted to plain faring and high thinking,
" not living to eat," as he on occasions would warmly declare, " but
eating only to live." He took a lively and intelligent interest in all
public questions and evinced much pleasure in the discussion of them.
In religion a Unitarian, he was a Liberal in politics and bore a part
in the local activities of the party to which he was attached. He was
under average stature, active in body and, although not robust in
appearance, enjoyed remarkable immunity from disease or ill health
of any kind until the autumn of 1863, when a slight attack of
paralysis interrupted his work ; yet he so far recovered from it in a
few months as to be able to resume and carry on business for a couple
of years longer. But the disease ultimately compelled his cessation
from active labour.

To the end, however, the absorbing love of Nature and her works
possessed him ; their pursuit was his pastime ; they had been a
perennial joy to him through the passing years and their contem-
plation cheered and solaced his declining hours. He died in Belfast,
where he had spent his life, on the i8th of December, 1867.

Hugh Hyndman.

8o

HENRY MacCORMAC, M.D.

' I ^PiE most prominent feature of my father's character was, I think,
his indomitable energy of mind as well as of body. He lived a
long and almost ascetic life of eighty-six years, and till the very end
of it he utilized every waking hour in useful occupation and work.
His opinions were founded on convictions arrived at after serious
consideration, and not easily to be departed from.

I suppose the greatest work of his life was based upon the belief
he had arrived at, after years of patient investigation, that consumption
was curable, dependent upon a preventable cause, and was not an
inheritance. He was convinced that the cause of consumption lay in
the continued breathing of air contaminated and exhausted by previous
respiration, and that the habitual breathing of pure air would not only
prevent the development of phthisis, but go far to cure it after it had
been already commenced. He did not, I think, place much faith in
Koch's bacillus, but he advised, in season and out of season, that the right
and only treatment or cure for consumption was by means of fresh
open air by night as well as by day.

My father was before his time, and his contemporaries scoffed ; but
a generation has scarce elapsed, and the open-air treatment of
consumption is recognised as the one effective method of dealing with
this destructive malady.

He was deeply conversant with the philosophies of ancient and
modern times, of the Greeks and the Romans, and those of the German
and French schools. His most earnest conviction was that the human
race could and would develop in goodness and greatness. He dwelt
on the possibilities for improvement rather than on the retrograde
tendencies that might exist, and to him all mankind was one brother-
hood, alike capable of ultimate perfectibility, and of reaching by effort
and endurance the desired goal.

HENRY MacCORMAC, M.D. 8 1

He was a profoundly religious man, with an absolute belief in the
goodness, greatness, and divine perfection of the unseen God. He was
convinced that the striving after what was good must continue in the
next state of our existence, if we are to achieve anything worth the
achievement, as it does in this one.

I never knew any one of more gentle lo\nng disposition. This was
shown in his own family circle, and in his love for children who
reciprocated the feeling — the instinct they possess alwa}'s drawing
them towards those who s}-mpathise with them. The same feeling
was shown in the kindly interest he took in the animal world ; all
unnecessar}' suffering in any form pained him. He anticipated in the
near future that horses, for example, would be relieved from the
penalties they often had to endure, and that much of their work would
be, as indeed it has alread)- been, largely replaced by steam and
electric power.

He was master of many languages, both European and Oriental,
and much of his leisure time, especially in later years, was devoted to
the study of comparative philolog)-, and the compilation of a dict\ona.Ty
illustrating the subject.

In the notice of his life contained in the Dictionary of National
Biography, a record of m\- father's career will be found, and the list there
given of his published writings is something amazing, both for its length
and the variety of subject which they cover. Xo fewer than twent)-
works are mentioned — treatises on medicine, on philosophy, religious
works, and even works of romance.

He was a man of great mind and of great heart, great in human
sympathy and affection, and great in his profound belief in the
progressive amelioration, both moral and material, of the human race.
I, as well as ever\'one who came within the charm of his influence,
hold him in affectionate and reverent recollection, and regard him as
a bright exemplar of a pure and well spent life.

William MacCormac.

82

EDMUND GETTY.

ITdmund Getty, only son of a Belfast merchant, was born in
North Street in 1799. Little is known of his early years, but he
entered into the service of the old Ballast Board (now the Harbour
Commissioners), and became in due time their Secretary.

In 1 83 1, as Vice-President of the Belfast Natural History Society,
he gave an account of its origin and connection with the Belfast
Museum. Devoted to literary and historical researches, he published
in 1 84 1 a remarkable historical novel, entitled The Last King of Ulster.
His Notices of Chinese Seals found in Ireland, read before the Literary
Society, was published in book form in 1850, and attracted much
attention. His valuable History of Belfast Harbour, compiled
for the Admiralty, and published by their authority in 1852, was
intended as an introduction to a much more extensive work, which
was never completed. A warm friend of Robert S. Macadam, he
contributed to the Ulster fournal of Archceology several papers,
including one mainly on the situation of the old Ford of Belfast, which
excited much controversy. He died suddenly of heart disease in
December 1857.

R. M. Young.

,^C2,c^r-^^^S:^2^55wZ>

PUBLIC LIBRARY I

85

ROBERT PATTERSON, F.R.S.

"D OBERT Patterson, f.r.S., the subject of this notice, was, fnjin
1830 up to the time of his death in 1872 — a period of forty-two
years — one of the most eminent, active and useful members of the
Society.

Born in Belfast in 1802, he was the eldest son of Robert I'atterson
(who, settled in Belfast previously, had commenced business here in
1786) by his wife Catherine, daughter of David Jonathan Clarke of
Dublin and Queen's County, Esquire, K.C., a lady of great ability and
high culture.

Robert Patterson finished his school course at the then newl\--
opened Royal Belfast Academical Institution, which now famous old
school has since sent many other distinguished men into the world,
but few, if any, more so than himself. He subsequently, while at
business, attended some classes at the Belfast College, which ceased
to exist on the opening of Queen's College.

At the age of sixteen — later than was then customary — young
Patterson entered his father's business, and served the usual seven
years' apprenticeship. On his father's death in 1831 he became the
head of the family, all of whom predeceased him ; two of his brothers,
however, William and David, having married and left issue.

Mr. Patterson early evinced that taste for Natural History, his
devotion to which had so marked an influence on his subsequent life
and friendships.

On 5th June, 1821, there met by invitation, at the house of Dr.
James L. Drummond, seven young men, who then and there decided
to form themselves into the Belfast Natural History Society, with
Dr. Drummond as their first President. Robert Patterson, then
nineteen )'ears of age, was one of the seven.

86 ROBERT PATTERSON, F.R.S.

The Society so founded above eighty years ago continues in our
midst, it having, in the years 1830-31, erected the Musuem in College
Square North, which is still its home. Mr. Patterson, who had at one
time or other filled every office in it, was, in 1871, the recipient of an
address (he having declined any more costly or substantial presenta-
tion) commemorating his fifty years unbroken membership of the
council of the Society, his interest in which only terminated with his
death.

Besides numerous contributions to the proceedings and journals
of various learned societies in the three kingdoms, Mr. Patterson's
principal published works were on The Insects mentioned in Shakspeare
(1838); Zoology for Schools, Part I. (Invertebrata), 1846 ; and Part II.
( Vertebrata), 1848. This work was undertaken for the purpose of
endeavouring to spread and popularize the study of Natural History,
in fact to endeavour to make it a regular part of the education that
every person should receive, as the author had strong views as
to the humanizing and refining effect that such studies have on the
young. Mr. Patterson's hopes in this respect were fully realized, for
the books were taken up by the educational authorities in both England
and Ireland, where they became regular class-books. They were well
and attractively illustrated, and for a lengthened period had a large
sale and an immense circulation. Thousands of middle-aged and
elderly men and women of the present day still acknowledge their
indebtedness to him for at least some acquaintance with Natural
History.

Mr. Patterson's next work was First Steps to Zoology, a more
elementary work than the other, the production of which was under-
taken at the request of the educational authorities ; as was also the
case with regard to an important set of ten large Zoological diagrams,
planned by him, drawn by the best draughtsmen of the period,
and published in the highest style of chromo-lithographic art by
Day & Son of London. During all this time Mr. Patterson continued
devoted to his business ; and all the scientific and literary work above

ROBERT PATTERSON, F.R.S. 8/

referred to was done after business hours. As a recognition of his
useful work he was, in 1859, elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, an
unsought honour, but one which he highly appreciated.

Long prior to this, Mr. Patterson had, in 1833, married Marj'
Elizabeth, younger daughter of the late William Hugh Ferrar, Esq.,
Police Magistrate of Belfast, by whom he had a numerous family.
Mrs. Patterson was an admirable and sympathetic helpmeet to her
husband ; and, while not deeply interested in his scientific pursuits,
she shared to the full his love of literature ; and both were poets of no
mean order. Mr. Patterson's literar)- st}-le and diction were fluent and
good, without being florid ; and he wrote and spoke pure English
without an}- straining at effect. He never sought any public office,
and declined an offer of the magistracy made to him. He was
however, for a short time a member of the Corporation, and for a
much longer period a member of the Harbour Board and of the
committee of the Northern Bank.

Among his friends he numbered all the eminent British Zoologists
of the three or four mid-centurj- decades. Yarrell, Thompson, Forbes,
Hyndman, Owen, Danvin, Carpenter, Ball, Jukes, Prince C. L.
Bonaparte, Johnston, the two ]\IacAdams, Spence, and Allman were
some of them ; and to the second named of the above brilliant group
he acted as literar}- executor. He was a ver}- early member of the
British Association, for some time Secretary of the Zoological section,
and acted as local Honorar}- Treasurer on the occasion of the first
visit of the body to Belfast in 1852.

Courteous and gentle to all, a favourite in societ}- on account of
his conversational powers and a certain charm of manner difificult to
describe, universally respected in public and revered and beloved in
private life, ]\Ir. Patterson passed away at his residence, College Square
North, Belfast, on the 14th of Februar}-, 1872, in the seventieth \-ear
of his age.

Robert Llovd Patterson.

88

JAMES MACADAM, F.G.S.

JAMES Macadam, f.G.S., was the elder brother of the more widely-
known Robert S. Macadam. He was born in 1801, at High
Street, Belfast.

Educated for business pursuits, his whole tastes lay in the direction
of Natural History, especially Geology. One of the founders of the
Belfast Natural History Society in 1 821, he contributed many valuable
papers on his favourite subject, both to it and the Geological Magazine.
He was a member of the Geological Societies of London and Dublin,
and with his friends, Dr. James Bryce, F.G.S., and General Portlock, he
did much to elucidate the complex Geology of the North of Ireland.

At several of the British Association meetings he acted as corres-
pondent for the AthencBum.

Of a reserved and studious temperament, he took little part in
public matters, but, was well known for the high sense of honour and
integrity which marked his business dealings. Never a robust man,
he died at his residence. College Square East, in 1861. He was
President of the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society at
the time of his decease, like his friend William Thompson, the Irish
Naturalist.

R. M. Young.

>^j/2^r>^t/W^

ASTOR. LE^^^

ATlOf

TliDEN FCL'ND

91

THE REV. JOHN SCOTT PORTER.

HPhe Rev. John Scott Porter, who for many years took a
leading part in the business of the Belfast Literary Society,
was bom at Ne\vtownlimavady on the 31st December, 1801. He
was the eldest son of the Rev. William Porter, minister of the old
congregation of that place, and for many years Clerk of the S>'nod
of Ulster, a post which he resigned in 1830, at the disruption of that
body and the formation of the Remonstrant Synod, of which he was
a leading member until his death in 1843. William Porter was twice
married : his first wife, Mary Scott, died on 9th October, 1809,
leaving four children — John Scott, the subject of this notice ; William,
afterwards the Hon. William Porter, for many years Attorne}'-General
at the Cape of Good Hope ; Marianne, afterwards wife of Francis D.
Finlay, founder and proprietor of the Northern Whig newspaper ; and
another daughter, who married and went to America. By his second
wife, ]\Iiss Classon of Dublin, the Rev. William Porter left three sons —
the Rev. Classon Porter, for man}^ years minister of the old Presby-
terian (Unitarian) Congregation in Larne, well known as a scholar
and antiquarian, as well as a divine ; the Rev. James Xixon Porter of
Carrickfergus ; and Francis, who settled as a merchant in Cape Town,
where he died in 1881.

From childhood, John Scott Porter was possessed with an intense
love of knowledge and zeal for its acquirement. This never left him.
He grew old learning something every day ; and what he learned he
never forgot. His earliest teacher was one Doherty, who kept a sort
of hedge-school at a place called Dirtagh, near Artikelly, where the
Porters resided. From him young Porter acquired the rudiments of a
sound education, both in English and Latin. He often spoke in after

92 THE REV. JOHN SCOTT PORTER.

days with regret of the disappearance of schools like Doherty's, where
boys could acquire an elementary acquaintance with the classics — a
privilege denied in the National Schools which superseded them.

After his mother's death in 1809, he was sent to the school of a
Mr. Stephenson, in Limavady, where he studied — but only English —
till August 1 81 2, when he was sent to Londonderry, where the
Rev. George Hay and the Rev. William Moore conducted a classical
school in Artillery Lane. Here he remained as a day-pupil for one
year, during which he lodged in the house of a Mrs. Boggs, having
charge of his brother William — four years his junior — and of the
accounts and expenditure for both, though himself not yet eleven
years old. After the first year, a vacancy in the school allowed of his
admission as a boarder, and he so remained until 1817. During this
period of almost five 3'ears his mind and character developed apace.
In classical studies he read (that is, in his case, he learned thoroughly
and completely) Ruddiman's Grammar, Corderey's Colloquies, Selectse
Sententiae, Cornelius Nepos, Ovid, Sallust, Horace, Virgil, Terence, and
Juvenal; Bell's Grammar, the Greek Testament, Lucian, and Homer.

But these were not his only studies. For instance, at the exami-
nations, when the pupils got up a play, he took a part, and was
favourably received as Alonzo in " The Revenge," and as Count
Sans-Chateau in " The Horse and the Widow." He also learned to
manage a boat on the Foyle; and, it is said, never shirked an invitation
to a pugilistic encounter. Indeed, he acquired both skill and repu-
tation in affairs of that sort, of which he sometimes bore inconvenient
traces. An old lady to whom he was paying a visit one day — a great
friend of his family — opened her purse and produced a guinea, which
she showed to him, and then returning it to its receptacle said: "John,
I had intended to give you this, but that disgraceful black eye prevents
my doing so." The disappointment to an impecunious boy may be
imagined.

Speaking of impecuniosity, it will be readily conceived that to
keep John Scott at school, away from home, was a heavy drain upon

THE REV. JOHN SCOTT PORTER. 93

the resources of the httle parsonage. His step-mother deserves the
chief credit for this. She knew his great talent, and felt that at any
sacrifice it ought to be fostered ; and in justice to him, it must be said
that to her and his fatiier he did a son's duty in repa)'ing their loving
care in after life.

It must have been during this period that an event happened which
might have altered the whole tenor of his life. Bolivar's struggle for
freedom in South America was then firing the souls of lovers of liberty
in the old world ; and John Scott Porter felt the thrill of sympathetic
enthusiasm so keenly, that he sent in an application to join one of the
bands of volunteers who were enrolled in the old country ; but, to his
great disappointment, he was refused as being too young.

In June 1817 he was sent to Belfast Academical Institution —
half a college, half a school — where, partly as student and partly as
usher to Dr. Montgomery, one of the headmasters, he spent some
years of preparation for the profession he had chosen — his father's.
His college course was broken by an absence of two years, during
which he was tutor to the family of a Mr. Handy, in County Kilkenny,
where he was most kindly treated, and where he learned many country
pursuits. Mr. Handy had so high an opinion of his talents that he
offered to defray all the expenses of his preparation for and call to the
Bar, believing that his vocation lay in that direction ; but the youth,
with gratitude, declined the generous proposal.

In Belfast he carried off every college prize that was available,
and his family have numbers of his medals and book premiums.
She who was afterwards his wife first saw him on the occasion of a
public distribution of prizes in the common hall of the institution —
a pale sallow youth, very slight in figure, with coal-black hair and
large prominent eyes — called down time after time, amid applause,
to receive more and more prizes, till he was almost overburdened by
them. For a year he was usher in the old Belfast Academ}% of which
the venerable Dr. Bruce was headmaster.

In 1825 Mr. Porter received an invitation from the old Dissenting

94 THE REV. JOHN SCOTT PORTER.

Congregation of Carter Lane, London, to become their pastor, and
accepted it. For some six years he laboured there, forming the closest
ties of friendship with many of his parishioners, ties which lasted all
his life. Amongst these were the grandfather and father of the Right
Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, and many others of old Nonconformist
stock.

In 1 83 1 Mr. Porter was invited to become the junior minister of
the First Presbyterian Congregation, Belfast. This call he accepted
(he had previously been licensed to preach by the Presbytery of
Bangor); and two years later (8th October, 1833) he married
Margaret, eldest daughter of Dr., Andrew Marshall, R.N., of Belfast.
There never was a happier marriage. The greater part of his energy
for the remainder of his long life was devoted to the service of the
Church to which he belonged and the congregation he loved. This is
not the place to dwell upon these matters. Suffice it to say that he
was, as a preacher, earnest, and deemed eloquent and effective ; and,
as a pastor, he was devoted to his work, especially among the poorer
and humbler members of his flock, who found in him a ready and
prudent adviser, and frequently a generous benefactor. It was one of
his chief joys to find his congregation growing and prospering ; the
galleries of the old church, which were almost empty when he joined
it, being filled at the close of his ministry. With his colleagues, the
Rev. William Bruce, and afterwards the Rev. Alexander Gordon, he
was always on terms of close sympathy, and their co-operation was
ever cordial.

In 1834 a public discussion was held in the Rosemary Street
Meeting-house, on the subject of the Doctrine of the Trinity, between
Mr. Porter and the Rev. Daniel Bagot, afterwards Dean of Dromore,
and the proceedings attracted much public attention and crowded
audiences. Whether such conflicts ever produce that kind of good
which is aimed at may be doubted. They certainly make few
converts. This particular controversy, however, was carried on in
a manner satisfactory to the friends of each of the disputants; and the

THE REV. JOHN SCOTT PORTER. 95

report of the proceeding's was afterwards published in an authenticated
edition. It is pleasant to record that the relations between Dean
Bagot and Mr. Porter were of the most courteous and kindly nature,
and so remained till the death of the latter. He had, indeed, many
controversies, but few enemies.

After the Bagot discussion, Mr. Porter's friends presented him
with a substantial pecuniary testimonial, the proceeds of which were
invested in the purchase of the lease of Nos. 15 and 16 College Square
East, Belfast, in the latter of which he passed the best years of his life.
He also built an addition to it, in which, for many years, he kept a
day-school, always well attended. As a teacher he was efficient and
successful. One trait in his character is still remembered by his old
pupils with pleasure. Though a strict disciplinarian, he never punished
boys for quarrels when these had been settled by a fair fight. In
educational matters he was exacting ; and his chief fault was a failure
to make adequate allowance for stupidity or slowness of intellect.

Mr. Porter was, in 1838, appointed Professor of Biblical Criticism,
and afterwards of Hebrew and the cognate languages (including
Syriac, Chaldee, and Arabic), to the Nonsubscribing Presbyterian
Association, with a Government endowment of ;^I50 per annum.
He was also, for a time, unpaid Dean of Residences for the same
Association in Queen's College, Belfast.

His published writings were numerous, and comprised, besides
sermons and religious and theological essays, treatises on the Metrical
System of Weights and Measures, on National Education in Ireland,
and other topics of general interest. His chief work is The Principles
of Textual Criticism (1848), an octavo volume, the result of much
labour and original research, and abreast of the scholarship of the time.
For a published sermon on the authenticity of the fourth Gospel he
received the warm thanks of the Bishop of Down and Connor and
Dromore — afterwards Primate of Ireland. Mr. Porter's learning was
extensive and profound. Indeed, there are few branches of knowledge
with which he was not adequately acquainted ; and in languages his

96 THE REV. JOHN SCOTT PORTER.

proficiency was very great. Besides the Semitic languages already
mentioned, in which he was a proficient, his knowledge of Greek and
Latin was exceptionally wide. Latin he wrote with ease, accuracy,
and elegance ; French and Italian he knew thoroughly ; and German
and Spanish he read with fluency, though it is not known that he
wrote them, save for mereh' educational purposes. Of Irish he was a
student, though never a proficient.

In the public life of Belfast he was in matters non-political a well-
known figure. The old Poorhouse (Belfast Charitable Society), the
Linen Hall Library, the Belfast General Hospital, and other insti-
tutions of a charitable and educational nature enlisted his sympathy
and ser\-ice ; but his chief delight was in the affairs of his own church,
its schools, its musical service, and in the Domestic Mission to the
Poor, founded and carried on under its auspices and those of the
Second Congregation, then meeting also in Rosemary Street.

The Belfast Literarj' Society was, it may be trul)- said, kept alive
for some )'ears b}- his personal exertions. Several times its President,
and for a long period its Secretary, he took a keen delight in its
meetings ; and the present writer has known him, after "a really good
meeting" (that is, one at which an interesting paper had been followed
by an adequate conversational discussion), as much pleased as if some
piece of choice good-fortune had happened to himself Edmund
Gett}', Robert Patterson, George Crawford Hyndman, Robert Shipboy
MacAdam, James Mac Adam, were among the most regular attendants
in his time ; and there were special occasions when persons of even
greater eminence were present. The late Dr. Reeves, M.R.I.A.,
afterwards Dean of Armagh, and subsequenth' Bishop of Down, told
the writer of these lines, many years after, that amongst the plea-
santest memories of his life, was the recollection of some evenings at
John Scott Porter's house; in particular, one or two meetings at which
the Most Rev. Dr. Denvir, Roman Catholic Bishop of Down and
Connor, read and discussed papers on scientific subjects. Dr. Reeves
contributed to the work of the Society some of the results of his ripe

THE REV. JOHN SCOTT PORTER. 97

antiquarian scholarship ; and none appreciated the treasures of his
store more highl\- than Mr. Porter, who shared his tastes to the full.
The pages of the Ulster Journal of Archcsology contain valuable
contributions from Mr. Porter ; notably, a series of articles on the
O'Cahans of Cinachta, which excited some interest amongst local
archaeologists.

John Scott Porter died on the 5th July, 1880 (at Lenoxvale, where
he had resided with his brother William for some years), after a
lingering illness, during which he endured much suffering with perfect
patience. His wife had died little more than a year before. Of
eleven children, five survived him, and four still survive.

His striking features are preserved in a fine portrait, by the late
Mr. Crawford, presented to him by the members of his congregation in
1873, and now a highl)--prized possession of his family. This portrait
has been excellently engraved. The distinguishing characteristic of
Mr. Porter's mind was its clearness, directness, and decision. It is
believed that these qualities are expressed in the picture, in which, too,
can be traced somewhat of that frankness of address and quick sense
of humour which made him an interesting personality and a delightful
companion.

A. M. P.

98

WILLIAM THOMPSON.

VXT'iLLlAM Thompson, Naturalist (1805-52), was the eldest son of
William Thompson of Wolfhill, whose family, originally
belonging to Essex, had for many generations been settled in the
neighbourhood of Belfast. His mother was Elizabeth, youngest
daughter of Robert Callwell* and Catherine, second child of Nathaniel
M'Gee of Newbridge, afterwards Lismoyne. Thompson owed his first
introduction to Natural History to a copy of Bewick's British Birds
belonging to his schoolfellow, William Sinclair, in whose father's office
he spent five years for the purpose of learning the linen business.
But it was not till he retired from business, in which he had been
engaged on his own account for six years (1826-32), that he was able
to devote himself wholly to science.

Except during a tour on the continent (1826) with his cousin,
George Langtry of Fortwilliam, his earlier studies had been almost
confined to observations made while hunting or shooting. His first
paper. The Birds of the Copeland Islands, was read in 1827 before
the Natural History Society of Belfast, which he had joined in the
previous year. In 1833 he was elected a Vice-President of this Society,
and in 1843 succeeded Dr. Drummond as its President, and for the
remaining nine years of his life was annually re-elected.

In 1841 he accompanied Captain Graves, of H.M.S. " Beacon," on a
surve}' tour to the /Egean, and returned from Athens by land, keeping
as usual a journal of all he saw.

Little can be told of a life so uneventful. Outside Natural History
his interests were mainly literary. His chief work. The Natural
History of Irelatid — Birds (three vols. ; Henry Bohn, London), was

* This Robert Callwell was father of Robert Callwell of Lismoyne, who was member of
Committee of the Linen Hall Library from 1792.

WILLIAM THOMPSON. 99

published 1849-51. He did not live to complete it, or even to
arrange the materials he had collected. A fourth volume, Mavnnalia,
Reptiles, &c., appeared after his death, edited (with a memoir by
Robert Patterson) from MS. journals and notes. These notes (since
collected in a volume by his brother, the late James Thompson of
Macedon), though beautifully written, were merely slips of paper of
strangely different sizes and almost without arrangement. In addition
he contributed about a hundred papers to various scientific journals,
adding a very considerable number of species to the fauna of Ireland.
His portrait is to be found in Ransome's Sciefitific Portraits. At least
ten new species were named in his honour by other naturalists. In
addition to the memoir mentioned above, there is an account of his life
by Dr. Xorman Moore in the Natioyial Dictionary of Biography.

Charles Knox Pooler.

*^* The present representative of William Thompson's family is Lieut. -Col. H. S. Thompson
(late Royal Marine Light Infantry), Kirby Lodge, Cambridge.

lOO

ROBERT S. MACADAM.

"D OBERT Shipboy Macadam was born in 1808 at his father's house
in High Street, Belfast. Educated at the Royal Academical
Institution, he served his time with his father to the hardware business,
and learned Irish in travelling through the country for the firm.
His knowledge of languages was exceptional, and he added Spanish
to the thirteen already acquired when upwards of seventy years old.

As a philologist he was on intimate terms with John O'Donovan,
Sir W. Wilde, Dr. Hincks, and Bishop Reeves. His library was note-
worthy for Irish MSS. and rare antiquarian works. As the result of
bringing together a unique collection of Irish antiquities at the Belfast
Museum, on the occasion of the visit of the British Association in 1852,
he commenced the issue of the Ulster Journal of Archcsology, xwYnch.
appeared for nine years. Under his learned editorship, and assisted
by many able contributors, the journal was much appreciated by a
large circle of readers, and gave an impetus to the proper study of
archaeology, which is still recognised. He was an active member of
the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society, and to the last
took a lively interest in all antiquarian matters. In partnership with
his brother James, a large business was carried on by him at the Soho
foundry, where turbines and pumps, some invented by Professor James
Thomson, were largely made, and erected in Egypt, the West Indies,
and elsewhere. His latter years were clouded by business troubles,
and he died in 1895, and was buried at Newtownbreda.

R. M. Young.

lOI

JOHN GRATTAN.

JOHN Grattan was a native of Dublin, where he was born in 1800.
After receiving a sound education there, he came to Belfast in
1825, where he commenced to practise as a druggist. At this time his
knowledge of practical chemistry led him to introduce the now world-
wide known aerated waters, which for many years were exclusively
manufactured by the firm of Grattan & Co. His son-in-law (Mr.
R. W. Pring) assisted him to perfect his invention. He married Miss
Harriet Shaw, and had a family of three daughters. His tastes were
scientific, and he contributed various papers to the Belfast Natural
History and Philosophical Society, of which he was an office-bearer
for many years. His researches on human crania, found in the vicinity
of ancient Irish round towers, were of special interest, and a craniometer,
invented by himself, and figured in the Ulster Journal of Archcuology,
attracted much attention from anthropologists. He also devoted
attention to phrenology, and formed a large collection of casts. His
death took place at his residence, Coolgreany, Fortwilliam Park, in

1871.

R. M. Young.

I02

THOMAS ANDREWS, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.,

Vice-President of Queen's College, Belfast.

A/fv father, Dr. Andrews, was born in Belfast, at 3, Donegall
Square South, on 19th December, 181 3, and was educated at
the Belfast Academy and the Royal Academical Institution. His
early taste for science received much encouragement from Dr. James
M'Donnell, the distinguished physician of this town ; and during the
winter of 1828-9 he studied chemistry at the University of Glasgow
under Professor Thomas Thomson. In 1830 he went to France, and
made an extensive walking tour through Auvergne. On coming to
Paris he was admitted to the laboratory of i\I. Dumas, whose
acquaintance he had the pleasure of renewing on subsequent visits.
In the following spring my father entered Trinity College, Dublin,
where he studied for four years. He completed his medical course
in Edinburgh University, and was admitted to the degree of M.D. in
August 1835.

He had already published several papers in the Philosophical
Magazine — the first in 1829, before he was sixteen. On the Action of a
Flame urged by the Blow-pipe on other Flames. On his return from
Edinburgh he commenced practice. His advice was always freely given
to the poor; and during the famine in 1847 he laboured assiduously
among those stricken down b}- typhus. He was appointed in 1835
Professor of Chemistry in the Royal Academical Institution, was
elected a member of the Royal Irish Academy in 1839, and joined the
Chemical Society as an original member in 1841.

In 1844 he was awarded the Royal Medal for his paper On the
Thermal Changes accompanyi)ig Basic Stcbstitutions^ which was com-
municated to the Royal Society by Faraday. He was elected a
Fellow of the Royal Society in 1849.

THOMAS ANDREWS, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S. IO3

In 1842 he married Jane tlardie, daughter of Major Walker, 42nd
Highlanders. Three years later he was appointed Vice-President of
Queen's College, Belfast, and in 1849, when the College was opened,
Professor of Chemistry. At the meeting of the British Association in
this town in 1852, he was President of the Chemical section, an office
which he again held at the Edinburgh meeting in 1871.

His first paper on Ozone appeared in the Philosophical Transactions
in 1856. He showed "that ozone, from whatever source derived, is
one and the same body . . . and is not a compound body, but
oxygen in an altered or allotropic condition." He pursued the subject
farther in collaboration with his colleague, -Professor P. G. Tait, whose
recent death his friends and the scientific world have to deplore, and
in i860 their paper On the Volumetric Relations of Ozorie \\?is published
in the same Transactions.

Soon after this my father commenced his experiments on gases
Cinder high pressures, and his paper Oft the Continuity of the Gaseous
and Liquid States of Matter was selected by the Royal Society as the
Bakerian Lecture for 1 869. After describing minutely his experiments
and defining the critical temperature of a gas, he draws the conclusion
that ''' the ordinary gaseous and ordinary liquid states are only widely
separated forms of the same condition of matter, and may be made to
pass into one another by a series of gradations so gentle that the
passage shall nowhere present any interruption or breach of continuity."
His next paper, Oti the Gaseous State of Matter, was again selected as
the Bakerian Lecture in 1 876, and his latest experiments were published
in a posthumous paper Oyi the Properties of Matter in the Gaseous and
Liquid States under various conditions of Temperature and Pressure.
For a fuller account of my father's scientific work, I ma}- refer the
reader to the Memoir by Professor Tait and Professor Crum Brown,
prefixed to the collected edition of his Scientific Papers.

In 1850 my father was elected a member of the Belfast Literary
Society, over which he presided in 1866-7. Among the papers read
before it, I may mention his historical sketch of Heidelberg Castle, his

I04 THOMAS ANDREWS, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.

review of the writings and discoveries of Faraday, and his summary of
ancient and modern views of the constitution of matter.

His views on University education and training are embodied in
the Stiidunn Generate, pubHshed in 1867.

My father visited France in 1 875. He received a gratif)'ing reception
at the French Academy, before which he read an account of his pressure
experiments, pubHshed in the Coniptes Rendiis, 9th August, 1875. He
also attended the French Association for the advancement of Science
at Nantes, and was made a Vice-President of the Chemical section.

In the following year (1876) he presided over the meeting of the
British Association at Glasgow.

He received the honorary degree of LL.D. from the Universities
of Edinburgh, Dublin, and Glasgow ; he was also an honorary fellow of
the Royal Society of Edinburgh and corresponding member of several
foreign societies.

My father resigned in 1879 the offices of Vice-President and
Professor of Chemistry in the Queen's College. The remaining }'ears
of his life were spent at Fortwilliam Park, Belfast, where he died on
26th November, 1885. A granite obelisk marks his grave in Belfast
Cemetery.

Elizabeth Andrews.

105

W. NEILSON HANCOCK, LL.D., QjC.

"VT'OU can know at what time of life a man has made acquaintance
with those who meet him by the manner of their address. My
family and school and college companions call me Neilson (pronounced
Nelson) ; those who made my acquaintance after I left college call
me Professor Hancock ; my colleagues in the service of Her Majesty
call me Dr. Hancock."

The remark made to me in casual conversation was, in fact, a
summary of the three parts into which his life was divided : student
and scholar ; professor and barrister ; eminent statistician and social
reformer. It was also indicative of his mode of thought. With a
Sherlock Holmes kind of induction, he was wont to build up a rapid
generalization from small facts which were to him significant of much.

He was born on the 22nd of April, 1820. He was sent when a lad
of ten years of age as a boarder to the Rev. Dr. Montgomery, at the
Royal Belfast Academical Institution. In 1834 he was transferred
to the Dungannon Royal School. He was dux of his school at
Dungannon. In 1838 he entered Trinity College, Dublin. He had a
distinguished college course, culminating in a Senior Moderatorship
(gold medal) at his degree.

Though in college he principally devoted himself to mathematics,
he was attracted to the then expanding science of Political Economy,
which Archbishop Whately had made his own, and obtained, by
examination, the professorship in Trinity College, founded and
endowed by the Archbishop. Being called to the bar, he studied juris-
prudence with eager zest, and was appointed, on the creation of the
Queen's University, Professor of Political Economy and Jurisprudence
in Belfast College. The course of his life was shaped for him by this
appointment.

I06 W. NEILSON HANCOCK, LL.D., Q.C.

He practically ceased to practice at the bar, and devoted himself
to social questions, and was an ardent advocate for reforms in the then
existing system of jurisprudence in these countries. Associated with
him, both in his economic studies and in his zeal for law reform, were
Dr. Ingram and Dr. (afterwards Mr. Justice) Lawson, and it would be
interesting, if there were time and space, to trace the history of the
economic and legal reforms in which these eminent men took a part.
It would come, I think, as a surprise to many what rapid, or com-
paratively rapid, strides were made during their time, and in great part
owing to their exertions.

He was Secretary to the Endowed Schools Commission, and he had
a band of assistants, then young men, most of whom attained distinction
in later days. His Honor the late Judge Ross was one of them.

Hancock was, at a later period, the Irish Secretary to the English
and Irish Law and Chancery Commission, the object of which was to
inquire into the law in both countries, with a view to assimilating the
laws in each, and with a view to suggesting reforms. He devoted
himself to it with great ardour, and many valuable contributions on
various parts of jurisprudence are to be found in the report. The
writers of these special reports nearly all became distinguished
subsequently in their profession.

He was frequently applied to by the Government for special reports
on particular questions, sometimes by the Prime Minister, sometimes
by the Lord Lieutenant, and sometimes b}' the Chief Secretary. It
was largely on his report that the Land Act of 1870 was framed, and
I have often, when acting as his assistant, posted, on my way home
from his study, between three and four o'clock in the morning, a
memorandum which I had written out, for his handwriting was
undecipherable save to a few, of whom I was one, and I have read his
admirable analysis of facts reported in The Times of the day but one
following in the report of a speech in the Commons or in the Lords.

In all his works and reports he was a sincere patriot. The orthodox
doctrines of political econom)', if applied rigidh' in Ireland, would, he

W. NEILSON IIAN'COCK, LL.D., Q.C. 107

early saw, lead to startling results. He set himself to reconcile the
tenets of the economist with the needs of the countr)-. This he called
Applied Political Economy.

If laissez-faire is sound economic teaching, then all interference by
the State, either as regards landlord and tenant, or employer and
workman, is wrong. His method of getting rid of the difificulty was
characteristic, and in the main sound, though modern statesmen have
gone much farther. The real obstacle to prosperity and freedom of
contract in Ireland is legislative interference. Interfere with the
interferers, remove legislative hindrances, and then let freedom of
contract prevail. A tenant is not free so long as the law enables a
landlord to confiscate his improvements. Remo^•e the legal wrong.
Recognise tenant-right. He was therefore the ardent champion of
tenant-right. He, with his brother John, agent for Lord Lurgan,
worked for it by arguments, instances, evidence at commissions, in
season and out of season, always advocating it on economic grounds.

And so throughout the social questions that agitate Ireland. His
doctrine was the doctrine of Political Economy. His remedy was the
remedy of the reformer.

It was as a statistician, however, that he attained greatest eminence.
He read the lessons of statistics in a way few can attain to. Like a
bank clerk who will not let a penny on any side of the account
remain unexamined, he was not content till the final adjustment
showed that the conclusion was right. He was assailed of course, but
I had opportunities of following his methods, which but few enjoyed,
and I knew him, careful, intrepid, and scrupulously honest. He edited
for many }-ears Xh^ Judicial a9id Criniiiml Statistics of Irelayid, prefacing
the returns of each }-ear b}- a special report.

He did good service to his country. He was sensitive to a degree,
and did not fully disclose himself to the general public. He was
accordingly not appreciated up to his worth, save by those who knew
him intimately. By them he was beloved.

His wife was a daughter of the philanthropist James Haughton, and

I08 W. NEILSON HANCOCK, LL.D., Q.C.

their married life was a continued idyl. She survived him a few years.
He died on the loth of July, 1888, at the residence of his brother-in-
law. Professor James Thomson of Glasgow.

I would not say that in a literary society he was quite at home.
He cared little for the form. His only contribution to this Society was
on a Reform of the Law of Partnership. He was too keen for the
truth and the fact, for reform, for moral worth, for sound policy, to
trouble much about the artistic grouping of his facts, or the phrasing
of his theories. But he had, all the same, that nervous force of language,
which comes by nature, not by art, to any man who thinks clearly and
earnestly on great questions.

Those who care to know more of him will find an appreciative
memoir of him, contributed to the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society
on the 22nd of January, 1889, by his friend J. K. Ingram, LL.D., S.F.T.C.D.,
and a complete list of his writings will be found in the memoir.

W. H. DODD.

I09

JOSEPH JOHN MURPHY.

TV/Tr. Joseph John Murphy's literary work was, for the most part,
in a region which lay outside popular notice. Amongst the
philosophical thinkers of the latter portion of last centur}- he held no
mean place. In particular, he devoted his great mental powers to the
solution of those religious problems which have ever encompassed
humanity, and undoubtedly he contributed largely towards a more
reasonable apprehension of the essentials of the Christian faith.

In addition to numerous papers or memoirs written for sundry
literary and scientific societies, he published one volume of poetry and
also three dealing with scientific subjects. Of the latter, Habit and
Intelligence^ composed in 1869, is in large part an argument, adopting
generally the evolution doctrine of Darwin, at that period rather new
and not so widely accepted as it is now. Much of the book, however,
consists of discussions on portions of Darwin's system, objecting very
decidedly to the idea that animal and vegetable life can be the mere
outcome of " spontaneous variety"; then coming to the conclusion
that evolution of life from non-living matter is impossible, or at least a
chimera. Mr. Murphy depreciates, in the course of his discussion, the
magnitude of the importance of the " selection of the fittest " factor in
the evolution process.

A second edition, issued in 1879, was so only in name, being rather
an expansion of the first, eliminating some portions of it, and full of
references to those points of mental science treated at length in his
second book, The Scientific Bases of Faith, published in 1872, and
never re-issued. This work Mr. Murphy himself regarded as his
principal and most valuable contribution to knowledge. In any short
notice such as this, it would be impossible to give an adequate idea of
its scope. However, it is right to intimate that it is more of the nature
of exposition than of argument, though argument is by no means

no JOSEPH JOHN MURPHY.

wanting, exhibiting large and acute powers of perception on matters
not generally supposed to be ver}- clear of discernment. In vigorous
definition of terms it must indeed be admitted that this work is some-
what lacking, though the writer has been b}- no means unsuccessful
when systematically devoting himself to such. Whatever opinion may
be held upon this and minor points, TJie Scientific Bases of Faith
deservedly claims respect as a sincere attempt to show how the leading
Christian doctrines may be regarded in harmonj' with the doctrine of
evolution.

The last book which Mr. Murphy published is entitled Natural
Selection and Spiritual Freedom. In part it is an impeachment of a
very conspicuous work by the late Professor Drummond — Natural Law
in the Spiritual World. This volume, however, as a whole, consists of
eleven distinct essays, most of them previously printed in periodical
magazines, and reproduced here in a collected form. All of them are
interesting, and more than one can claim a large measure of originality.
Issued from the press in 1893, it proved the writer's last literary under-
taking. Within six months he died, early in the year 1894.

Sonnets, and other Poems — a small volume of 150 pages — was
published in 1890. It contains the reflections often expressed in
graceful form of a delicate and thoughtful mind.

To his friends, Mr. Murphy was the perfect type of a Christian
philosopher. The service of his mind he offered to his Maker, with the
assured conviction that such is acceptable to Him who made man in
His own image. Even to the last, his thoughts were busy with those
perplexing problems which beset men here. In middle life he bore
the loss of fortune with uncomplaining fortitude. To him it chiefly
mattered that so he had the less to offer for works of faith and charity.
A simple-hearted courteous gentleman, one of the oldest members of
the Literary Societ}', in which to the last he took the keenest interest,
his life, unobtrusive, diligent, self-sacrificing, had a real value for the
great city in which his lot was cast.

Richard W. Shaver.

1 1 1

CHARLES PARSONS REICHEL,

Bishop of Meath.

Oharles Parsons Reichel was bom on November 20, 18 16, at
the Moravian settlement of Fulnec in Yorkshire, being the only
child of Karl Friedrich Reichel, a German immigrant and pastor of
the settlement, and his wife, Hannah Parsons, a Yorkshire lady. His
ancestors in the male line had been ordained ministers either of the
Lutheran or of the Moravian Church, in unbroken succession as far
back as the Thirty Years' War.

When he was twelve years old, the family went to America, his
father having accepted the pastorate of the German settlement at
Lancaster in Pennsylvania. This change gave an immense stimulus
to the physical and mental powers of the delicate and overstudious
boy, and perhaps saved his life. In 1832 they returned to Europe,
in consequence of his mother's death. In 1835 he proceeded to the
University of Berlin and studied theology for three years in preparation
for the ministr}^ under Hengstenberg, Neander and Petermann, His
health, however, broke down, and he had to leave without a degree, but
not before he had made himself an accomplished Hebrew and Syriac
scholar. His father having now settled at Bally mena in Ireland, he
entered Trinity College, Dublin, in 1839, through the generosity of a
wealthy friend who paid his college fees, and read classics, winning
a classical scholarship in 1841 and graduating as senior classic the
following year — the first that ever did so without verse composition ;
he was also awarded the Berkeley Greek Medal. He then turned to
mathematics with a view to a fellowship, which he would probably
have gained but for a serious accident which prostrated him for six
months. A college friend (Dean ]\IacDonnell of Peterborough} describes
him as '' the best educated man I ever knew leave the universitw"

112 CHARLES PARSONS REICHEL.

Not only had university study made him a first-rate classical and
Semitic scholar and a good mathematician, but as a boy he had learned
music thoroughly in the German fashion, and while in America had
gained an insight into scientific method by mastering the subject of
chemistry theoretically and practically, as far as it was then carried.

In 1846 he was ordained deacon and later priest. In 1847 he
became curate of St. Mary's, a poor and populous Dublin parish,
where he remained for nearly four years — years of hard and dangerous
work, embracing as they did the Irish famine and the cholera epidemic.
In 1850 he accepted the Chair of Latin in the new Queen's College at
Belfast, and during fourteen years exercised much influence both in
the college and also in the town, where his power as a preacher gave
him a commanding position. The college staff at that time was of
unusual brilliance, containing men like Thomas Andrews, G. L. Craik,
P. G. Tait, and Wyville Thomson. In 1854 he married Mary Brown
McCracken, of an old Belfast family. Six children were the result of
this union, of whom four died early in life and two survive. In 1854
he delivered the Donnellan lectures at Trinity College, his subject
being The Nature and Offices of the Churchy and in 1858 was made
Doctor of Divinity by his old university.

In 1864 Lord Carlisle, the then Viceroy, gave him the living of
Mullingar, avowedly as the first step to higher preferment, but died
before this intention could be realized. The eleven years of this
incumbency covered the troubled period of Disestablishment (1870)
and Revision (1872), and were disturbed by agrarian and religious
terrorism. In consequence of the part he took in exposing the system
of " altar denunciations," then prevalent in Westmeath, which had led
to more than one murder, his life was threatened, and he was for some
time under police protection and in considerable danger.

Apart from parochial duties, which in Mullingar were specially
heavy, he was mainly occupied partly with the work of the Revision
Committee, in connection with which he made an exhaustive and
laborious investigation into the history of the Ordinal and the system

CHARLES PARSONS REICHEL. I I 3

of Sacramental Confession, and partly with the controversy on scientific
determinism, which arose out of Professor Tyndal's address to the British
Association at Belfast, and in which he took a leading part. It was
the latter which first brought him into prominence as a preacher in
England, where he delivered, in Norwich Cathedral, part of a series of
sermons on Christian evidences, organized by the late Dean Goulburn.

In 1875 he was appointed Rector of Trim, the old cathedral town
of the diocese, and Archdeacon of Meath. This change brought much
needed relief, both physical and financial, and enabled him to provide
better for the health of his wife, who ever since 1864 had been
a chronic sufferer from hysteria. In 1876 Trinity College gave him
the Chair of Ecclesiastical History, which he held for five years, when
the strain became too great for him. During these years came recog-
nition from the English universities. In 1876, and again in 1883, he
was select preacher at Cambridge, and from 1880 to 1882 at Oxford.
In 1882 his friend. Lord Plunket, then Bishop of Meath, conferred
on him the titular deanery of Clonmacnois ; and on Lord Plunket's
translation in 1885 to the Primacy, he was chosen to succeed him in
the bishopric a few weeks after Mrs. Reichel's sudden death. This
he held till his death in 1894, residing first near Dunboyne and
subsequently at Dundrum Castle on the outskirts of Dublin. This
was a time of increasing ill health, and for the last two or three years
he was unable to preach. He died at Bangor in North Wales, on
March 29, 1894, and was buried at Whitechurch, Rathfarnham, beside
his wife.

Dr. Reichel's chief intellectual characteristics were logical directness
and force and surprising versatility. He was an omnivorous reader,
and retained the pith of all he read. His parentage and education
gave him a detachment of mind that preserved him from dependence
on ecclesiastical or political party. His best thought went into his
sermons, which were always written out at full length and generally
at a single sitting, a method of composition eminently effective but no
less exhausting. The following list contains most of those which have

114 CHARLES PARSONS REICHEL.

been published in book form : The Trinity and the Athanasian Creed,
1854 ; The Nature and Offices of the Church; The Lord's Prayer and
Other Sermons, 1855 ; Six Lectures on the Book of Common Prayer;
Sermons on Christian Evidences, preached in Norwich Cathedral, 1875;
The Origins of Christianity and Other Sermons, preached before the
University of Oxford, 1 882 ; The History and Claims of the Confessional,
1883; Cathedral and University Sermons, 1891. Many others also
appeared from time to time in pamphlet form. In 1899 a further
volume, containing other unpublished sermons, together with a memoir
based on personal recollections, was brought out by his son.

His theological attitude was historical rather than metaphysical — the
maintenance of the faith once for all delivered to the saints. He
had, however, no sympathy with the Tractarian movement, which he
regarded as tending to mediaeval rather than to primitive practice,
and as tolerant of methods of interpretation hardly consistent with
intellectual honesty. Private judgment he regarded less as a right than
as a duty. He felt bitterly the hostility shown by the English High
Church party to the Irish Church in its hour of trial, and contrasted
with it the very different measure meted out to the American Church,
though the changes in the American Prayer Book were far more
revolutionary than those in the Irish, His theological views coincided
with those of no recognised party. On the one hand he held a high
view of the sacraments and the visible Church ; on the other he
rejected the High Anglican doctrine of the divine right of episcopacy
and the sacerdotal view of the priesthood. He disliked legalism in
theology, whether appearing in the forensic justification of the
Evangelical or the apostolical succession of the Tractarian.

His special contribution to theological research was the demonstra-
tion of the unprimitive character of Sacramental Confession and the
use in the formula of ordination of the words from St. John, " Receive
the Holy Ghost : whose sins ye remit," etc. This appeared first in a
paper entitled Shall we Alter the Ordinal? and afterwards in a sermon
preached in all three university pulpits on The History and Claims of

CHARLES PARSONS REICHEL. II5

the Confessional. Of the character of this piece of work it is sufficient
to say that the main conclusions have recently been endorsed by the
conference on Auricular Confession of representative High Churchmen
and Low Churchmen. He was also one of the first to recall to the
minds of his contemporaries the fact — never lost sight of by the Eastern
Churches — that it was the resurrection and not the crucifixion that
constituted the central historical fact for Christians. His life may be
fitly summed up as an expression of his family motto — Vitaui impendere
vero.

H. R. Reichel.

ii6

REV. EDWARD HINCKS, D.D.

Tn this gallery of Ulidian worthies Edward HiNCKS occupies a
place by himself as a pioneer in the study of Assyriology and
Egyptolog)^ He was born in Cork on the 19th August, 1792. His
father was the Rev. Thomas Dix Hincks, LL.D., who afterwards was
well known in Belfast as the Headmaster of the classical school of the
Royal Academical Institution. He was educated at home, and entered
Trinity College, Dublin, becoming Scholar in 18 10 and Fellow in 1813.
He vacated his fellowship in 18 19 on his succession to the college
living at Ardtrea, and he was instituted to the rectory of Killyleagh,
Co. Down, on the 22nd October, 1825. When in Ardtrea, in 1821,
he had preached at Armagh and published a visitation sermon. In
Kilh'leagh he settled down to the routine work of a country clergyman,
improved his rectory house at a cost of £642, and entered with vigour
into local controversies. With two other clergymen he entered into
public discussion with the same number of Roman Catholic clergymen,
and the proceedings were published in 1829. He also published a
pamphlet on the Church Education question, and preached a sermon
on the Ulster Revival.

It is a very interesting question how Dr. Hincks became interested
in the then very obscure subjects of Assyriology and Egyptology.
It appears from a statement made by a relative that he first devoted
himself entirely to mathematics. Now, one of his earliest published
works is 0?i the Years and Cycles used by the Ancient Egyptians, which
appeared in 1838. General chronology to any mathematician is a
fascinating subject, and from it to all the most obscure problems of
Assyriology and Egyptology is only one step. His daughter, in a
letter, kindly placed at my disposal by Dr. Cecil Shaw, says : " He was
one of the pioneers of Egyptian decipherment, and his contributions to
that great work are now recognised as being of the highest value.

REV. EDWARD HINCKS, D.D. 11/

In later years his studies were entirely devoted to the Assyrian
inscriptions. At one time he took part in a very interesting test
suggested by Fox Talbot, who himself transcribed from a calendar
of Tiglath Pileser, and sent copies at the same time to Sir Henry
Rawlinson, Dr. Hincks, and Dr. Oppert, who were each to return the
translations sealed to London, where a committee was appointed to
open them. The four separate translations were found so much alike
that it rejoiced the hearts of those who had been doubtful before of the
trouble of the decipherments," Indeed the last word on the decipher-
ment of any inscription was not said until, in addition to the replies
from Paris and St. Petersburg, one had been received from Killyleagh,
Co. Down, Ireland. It is simply marvellous what a lonely student in
a country rectory was able to accomplish in these most obscure studies.
Stanley Lane-Poole says that " he established a reputation of the first
order amongst the pioneers of cuniform decipherment," and that he
was first to employ the true method. Simultaneously with Rawlinson
at Bagdad, at Killyleagh he discovered the Persian cuniform. Many
other discoveries are to be noted in his articles. Layard says that
"it is to Dr. Hincks we owe the determination of the numerals, and
the determination of the name of Sennacherib and the name of
Nebuchadnezzar — ' three very important and valuable discoveries.'
Though his views did not always meet with acceptance, there was no
difference of opinion about the value of his researches and the
soundness of his judgment."

His daughter says: "Before publishing his second book. Sir Henry
Layard paid a visit to Killyleagh, and many hours were spent together
in ' the study ' over the inscriptions, but the younger man often gave
up, and expressed his amazement at the unflagging energy with which
Dr. Hincks pursued his studies.

"In society he was generally very silent and reserved, and his thoughts
evidently far away, but when a congenial subject was started, his whole
face was lit up, and his conversation became at once instructive
and interesting."

Il8 REV. EDWARD HINCKS, D.D.

He was invited to be present at the unrolling of a mummy, and
when it was uncovered he rubbed his hands with delight, saying,
" I think I know something about this gentleman, and I think I have
met this gentleman's father before ! "

A long series of his articles and papers is to be found in the British
Museum Catalogue and the Catalogue of the Belfast Linen Hall
Library. He died on Monday, December 3, 1866. Killyleagh was
the birthplace of Sir Hans Sloan, the founder of the British Museum,
and it is not a little remarkable that in the same place there lived in
after years one of the principal interpreters of the ancient monuments
preserved in that great institution.

C. Scott, m.a.

119

WILLIAM REEVES, D.D.,

Bishop of Down and Connor and Dromore.

"IXT'ILLIAM Reeves, D.D., was born of an old Irish stock at Charle-
ville, Co. Cork, in i8i5,and educated at Trinity College, Dublin,
being elected a Scholar of the House and graduating A.B. in 1833.
Two years later he won the Berkeley Gold Medal and took his medical
degree of M.B.

He was ordained in 1838 to the ministry of the Church of Ireland,
and up to the age of 42 served as curate in country parishes. Together
with the perpetual curacy of Ballymena, he held the post of principal
of the Diocesan School in that town till 1857, when he was appointed
to the vicarage of Lusk. In i860 the Primate (Lord George Beresford)
conferred upon him, " as a slight recognition of his literary merits," the
office of librarian of Armagh Library. No position could have been
more congenial to Dr. Reeves, and with Armagh — he was elected Dean
in 1875 — his affections and interests were inseparably entwined till his
elevation to the episcopate in 1886.

Dr. Reeves was first and pre-eminently an Irish scholar; one of the
most industrious and most capable of that group of antiquarians and
historians who have worked with conspicuous success the rich veins of
Irish lore. The mere enumeration of the various works with which his
name is connected affords but a very limited idea of the extent of his
labours. Their most characteristic quality was acairacy. No document
bearing upon any point under discussion escaped his notice ; no
authority was ignored ; no quotation or reference was left unverified.

Adamnan's Vita S. Cobimbce, published by him in 1856, was pro-
nounced by the unanimous verdict of those best qualified to judge the
most valuable contribution ever made to the history of the earl}' Celtic

120 WILLIAM REEVES, D.D.

Church. Three years previously, having discovered the celebrated
Book of AvDiagJi, lying, an almost unappreciated treasure, amongst the
possessions of the Brownlow family, he became himself its purchaser
at a cost of ;^300 from his slender resources, determined that this most
unique of Irish MSS. should be preserved for Ireland.

Although denied the Chair of Ecclesiastical History in his own
university, Dr. Reeves had acquired a European reputation, his literary
distinction being recognised by the Royal Irish Academy (vice-pre-
sident and president); Zurich Society of Antiquaries; the Society of
Antiquarians, Scotland ; the Royal Archaeological Institute of Great
Britain (honorar}' member); College of Physicians (honorary fellow);
Literary Society, Belfast; Literary Club, Dublin (honorary member);
University of Edinburgh (LL.D.) A second time (1869) his Alma
Mater — Motc Hibernico — rejected his services when he was candidate
for the post of librarian. Trinity College. From the Provost, however
— Dr. Lloyd — he received a most sympathetic letter, regretting his
non-success "for the sake of the university." In 1871 Dublin Univer-
sity, somewhat tardily, honoured itself by conferring on him the
honorary degree of LL.D.

Dr. Reeves allowed himself in 1886 to be put in nomination for the
vacant bishopric of Down and Connor and Dromore, with the hope —
as his biography attests — that he might be elected to the Primacy, and
thus be permitted to remain in his beloved Armagh. The episcopal
bench decided otherwise, and Dr. Knox, then Bishop of Down, was
chosen to be " Coarb of S. Patrick," Dr. Reeves succeeding as occupant
of Jeremy Taylor's see. During an episcopate of six years, entered
upon at the age of 71, amid duties at times uncongenial and unfamiliar,
with an environment utterly dissimilar to that of his earlier life, the
Bishop, by sheer weight of character, won the affection of many and the
respect of all. Simple, courteous, dignified, of resolute will and striking
presence, he ever sought to magnify not himself but his high office,
bringing to it the same scrupulous exactitude which had characterized
his literarj' work.

\VILLIA.M REEVES, D.D. 121

Bishop Reeves died in Dublin, 12th Januar\', 1S92, after a brief
illness, and was buried under the familiar shadow of Armagh Cathedral.
By his death Ireland lost a patriot son who knew, as perhaps none
other, the whole story of her chequered history, and was well content
to spend himself in rendering her past once more instinct with life :
the Irish Church mourned a bishop whose episcopate was the gainer
by having reflected upon it the honour that shone from a character
whose goodness overshadowed its greatness.

Richard W. Seaver.

122

JAMES THOMSON, LL.D., F.R.S.

JAMES Thomson, ll.d., f.r.s., was bom in College Square, Belfast,
on the 1 6th of February, 1822. He was the eldest son of James
Thomson, LL.D., the mathematical Headmaster in the Royal Belfast
Academical Institution. Along with his brother William — now Lord
Kelvin — his junior by two years, he received his early education entirely
from his father. At the ages of 1 3 and 1 1 respectively the two boys,
who were inseparable companions, entered the University of Glasgow,
where their father had been appointed Professor of Mathematics.
James's career in college was a distinguished one, and he took his degree
of ^Master of Arts with honours at the age of 17. At this time (1840)
the Chair of Civil Engineering and Mechanics — the first of its kind in
the kingdom — was founded by Queen Victoria in Glasgow University;
and James Thomson attended as a pupil the lectures of Professor
Lewis Gordon, with a view of adopting engineering as a profession.

He was at this time in delicate health, and not strong enough for
the hard work of an engineering apprenticeship, but he was busy with
inventions of various sorts. In 1843 his health had so far recovered
that he was able to commence his apprenticeship in the works of
Messrs. Fairbairn, of Millwall, London, and Manchester. Ill health
again intervened and brought this apprenticeship to a close, and for
some years James Thomson was at home occupied with inventions and
scientific discoveries. Among the first may be mentioned his vortex
waterwheel, which is used to drive many mills throughout the north of
Ireland ; and among the latter, his explanation of the slow motion
of semi-fluid masses, such as glaciers.

In 185 1 Thomson settled in practice as a civil engineer in Belfast,
where his sister, Mrs. William Bottomley — whose husband was also
a president of this Society — was already living. In 1853 he married

JAMES THOMSON, LL.D., F.R.S. I 23

Elizabeth, daughter of WilHam John Hancock, J.P., of Lurgan, and
sister of Dr. WilHam Neilson Hancock. He was appointed Professor
of Civil Engineering in Queen's College, Belfast, in 1857, and held the
office until 1873, ^vhen he was appointed to a similar Chair in Glasgow.

During these years he took a great interest in the various societies
of Belfast. He was a member of the Literary Society from 1853 until
he left the town in 1873, when he was elected an honorary member;
he was president in the session 1864-5 ! ^"^ he communicated many
papers to the Society, a list of which will be found in the appendix.
He also took an active part in the Philosophical Society, the Natural-
ists' Field Club, and in the Belfast Social Enquiry Society. A paper
read by him before the last-named society on Public Parks was the
means of procuring the Ormeau Park for the city of Belfast.

He held the Chair of Civil Engineering and INIechanics in Glasgow
until 1889, when he was obliged to retire on account of the failure of
his eyesight ; but he was able to continue his scientific work until his
death, after a very short illness, in 1892,

James Thomson.

124

SIR CHARLES WYVILLE THOMSON,

LL.D., D.Sc, F.R.S.

(1830-1882).

"^To habitue of Queen's College, Belfast, in the fifties and sixties of
last century, could fail to be attracted by the bright, handsome
face, clear-cut features, lithe, well-made, active figure, and breezy,
inspiring presence of a youthful-looking professor, who was frequently
to be seen either traversing cloister and hall with rapid, springy step,
or busily working in the Natural History Museum. Dr. Wyville
Thomson was, indeed, one of the youngest men who ever wore the
professor's gown. He was a lecturer on botany at 19, and his life-w rk
was ended while he was still in his prime.

He was one of the brilliant band of Scottish professors who did so
much for Queen's College in its earlier days. The names of Mac-
Douall, and Craik, and Tait, and McCosh will occur to the reader as
other outstanding members of the group. His father was a surgeon
in the East India Company's service, and the future professor was
born at Linlithgow on 5th March, 1830. Educated at Merchiston
Castle School and at the University of Edinburgh, his conspicuous
aptitude for natural science led to his appointment in 1850 as
Lecturer on Botany in King's College, Aberdeen, and in 1851 to his
election as Professor of the same subject in Marischal College. In 1853
he became resident in Ireland, having been appointed to the Chair
of Natural History in Queen's College, Cork. Next year he came to
Belfast, to succeed Mr. (afterwards Sir) Fredk. McCoy as Professor of
Geology and Mineralogy in Queen's College; and in i860 he had
added to his duties those of the professorship of Natural History, on
the resignation of Professor George Dickie. After sixteen years'

SIR CHARLES WVMLLE THOMSON, LL.D., D.SC, F.R.S. 1 25

service in Belfast, he was appointed in 1870 to the Chair of Natural
History in the University of Edinburgh, and this he held until his
death in 1882, Such is the brief, bare outline of the career of one of
the most cultured and accomplished men of our time, whose name is
writ large in the annals of the scientific discoveries of the nineteenth
century.

It was the good-fortune of the present writer to be brought into
intimate contact with Thomson, first as a student under him at Belfast,
and later on as Senior Scholar in Natural History, and graduate of the
old Queen's University in that group of subjects. His familiar figure
stands out vividly before the mind's eye to this day. He was one of
the most delightful and interesting of lecturers; there was nothing of the
Dr. Dryasdust about him. The table of his classroom was invariably
covered with a profusion of specimens carefully selected from the
Museum, or fresh plants collected by himself or his porter, and of these
he made incessant use, handling them with great dexterity and care-
fully pointing out their characteristics. Chalk and blackboard were
also turned to admirable account in his hands. Then, when spring
came on, who that joined in the Saturday botanical excursions can
ever forget them ? Sometimes their scene was the bosky shades of
Collin Glen, sometimes the Cave Hill, sometimes the banks of the
Lagan. Thomson, with his vasculum slung on his shoulder, and
the ribbons of his Glengarry cap streaming in the wind behind him,
strode rapidly along at the head of his band of students, halting ever
and anon to speak of the plants of note that were discovered. Then,
as the afternoon wore on, professor and students would gather under
the shade of some umbrageous tree, or on a mossy bank, while the
treasures that had been collected were discussed along with the
sandwiches for which the morning's ramble had prepared excellent
appetites. Monday's lecture was always occupied with the results of
these expeditions, and was by no means the least interesting or
attractive of the week's prelections. Not a few men trace back
their interest in the flora and fauna of this country, and in its

126 SIR CHARLES WVVILLE THOMSON, LL.D., D.SC, F.R.S.

palaeontological wealth, to the charm with which these subjects were
invested in those days by the lectures and conversation of this dehght-
ful professor.

It was while living in Belfast that Thomson commenced the
researches into the physical and biological conditions prevailing in the
depths of the sea, with which his name will always be specially associ-
ated. In the summer of 1868 he and Dr. W. B. Carpenter made a
series of valuable and fruitful investigations in the waters to the north
of Scotland on board the gunboat "Lightning"; and in 1869, in
company with John Gwynn Jeffreys, there was a similar expedition
in the "Porcupine" off the west coast of Ireland and in the Bay of
Biscay. The results of these voyages were given to the world in 1873
in Thomson's charming volume, The Depths of the Sea. These
researches prepared the way for the great expedition of his life, the
memorable voyage in the " Challenger," commenced in December
1872, and completed in May 1876, in the course of which not only
was the globe carefully circumnavigated, but four of the great oceans —
the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Antarctic — had the mysteries of their
depths explored, and the strange forms of life by which they are
peopled, examined, named, and classified, as they had never been
before. Nearly 70,000 nautical miles were traversed in the course of
this voyage, and an enormous mass of valuable material was collected,
with the arrangement of which Thomson was occupied during the
remainder of his life. The results were published in the magnificent
series of fifty volumes of the " Narrative and Report," which are his
noble and appropriate monument. Probably, however, the labours and
anxieties of this remarkable voyage cost him his life. He was never
the same after it. In 1879 he was seized by an illness, which his con-
stitution, enfeebled by long toil, was unable to shake off. He returned
to his native place to die, and on loth March, 1882, his earthly career
reached its end.

Thomson was undoubtedly one of the most notable men whom
the Belfast Literary Society ever numbered among its members.

SIR CHARLES WVVILLE THOMSON, LL.D., D.SC, F.R.S. 12;

Xo one who knew him intimately, as it was the writer's good-fortune
to do, can ever forget him.

He was married in 1853 to Miss Jane Ramage Dawson, eldest
daughter of Adam Dawson, Esq., of Bonnington, Linlithgowshire.
She survived him, as did also his only child, who entered the Indian
Medical Service.

The numerous and high honours which were conferred upon
Thomson would take too great space to recount here. He was
knighted on the return of the " Challenger " expedition, and received
honorary degrees from the Queen's University, Aberdeen, Dublin, and
Jena. He was elected F.R.S. in 1869, and was a fellow of many other
learned bodies. There is a marble bust of him in the University of
Edinburgh, and a memorial window was erected in his memory in
Linlithgow cathedral.

T. HA>nLTON.

128

HENRY BURDEN.

'"P'llE subject of this memoir was born in Belfast in 1835, being the
second son of Dr. WilHam Burden, who was the first Professor
of Midwifery in Queen's College, Belfast. His mother was the daugh-
ter of Alexander Mitchell, the blind engineer and inventor of the
screw-pile. Dr. Burden began his working life in a mercantile house
in Liverpool, but, giving this up after a few years, returned to Belfast
and entered Queen's College with a view to graduating in medicine.
His course there and in the university was very successful, as the
many prizes and scholarships gained by him testify ; closing his
university career by becoming senior scholar in Anatomy and Physi-
ology, and the year following holding the same position in Natural
Science. In addition to his medical degrees of M.D., etc., he gradu-
ated M.A. with first-class honours and gold medal. He was admitted
member of the Royal College of Surgeons, England, and held the
Royal College of Physicians' (Ireland) diploma in State Medicine.
After qualifying to practise medicine in i860, Dr. Burden was for
some years the Demonstrator in Anatomy in Queen's College and
Assistant Physician to the Belfast Lying-in Hospital ; he was also
Pathologist to the Belfast Royal Hospital, which appointment he held
until the time of his death. He was for some time Secretary to the
Belfast Branch of the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund Society of
Ireland, and ex-President of the Ulster Medical Society, before whose
meetings he read from time to time papers forming valuable contribu-
tions to medical science. Dr. Burden was at the time of his death,
and had been for many years, the Secretary of the Belfast Literary
Society, in whose welfare he took a great interest, and was a very
regular attendant at its meetings ; he was also a member of the Royal
Irish Academy. Dr. Burden's interest in literature and science was

HENRY BURDEN. I 29

not limited to these societies, and he took an active part in promoting
the cause of education in ever}' direction. Several of his lectures and
scientific contributions attracted considerable attention : among these
were a monograph on Fossil Teeth and one on The Imperfections of
the Human Eye.

Dr. Burden married, in 1862, a daughter of Dr. Henry MacCormac
of Belfast, and so was brother-in-law to Sir William MacCormac. He
left a family of four sons and five daughters.

I30

CHARLES MacDOUALL, LL.D.

/^HARLES MacDouall, LL.D., was bom near Edinburgh in 1813;
was educated at the High School; entered Edinburgh University
in 1826, and studied there under Dunbar, Pillans, John Wilson
("Christopher North"), Brunton, Chalmers, and others, with great
diligence and success, Professor Dunbar stating that " he exemplified
in the Greek classes such unwearied industry and varied scholarship as
very few young men ever show." In 1843 he became a licentiate of
the Church of Scotland, but was never ordained, and at the Disruption
he joined the Free Church. His distinctions as a scholar and as a
teacher (both privately and at the Edinburgh Academy) led to his
election in 1847 by the Town Council to the Chair of Hebrew in his
university; but the Edinburgh Presbytery of the Established Church
applied for a Note of Suspension and Interdict, which the Lord
Ordinary (Robertson) finally granted, and Professor MacDouall
resigned, publishing the lecture he had prepared as his inaugural
address, with a preface in which he referred with unaffected dignity to
his exclusion by a strict enforcement of the Act of 1707.

In 1849 he was appointed by the Crown Professor of Latin in
Queen's College, Belfast ; and in the following year he was, at his
request, transferred to the Chair of Greek ; and, though he had offers
of preferment at home and abroad, he retained his connection with
Queen's College, Belfast, and with Queen's University in Ireland, till
1878, when advancing blindness compelled him to retire from the scene
of his faithful and loving labours.

His merit as a classical and an oriental scholar was widely
recognised. In 1858 Edinburgh University gave him the degree of
LL.D. ; he was made a member of the Royal Asiatic Society, England,
and of Oriental societies in Greece, France, and Germany; and in the

CHARLES MacDOUALL, LL.D. 131

transactions of these learned bodies he wrote valuable papers relatincj
to his special studies, and also to a subject in which he took much
interest — the legends and the literature of the Middle Ages.

He was attached to the principles of united education, and an early
friend of the higher education of women ; he would describe himself
as "a good Presbyterian and a good Whig"; but he was especially and
emphatically a professor — a man of the library and of the classroom ;
he impressed a note of distinction on the daily life and the common
work of the college ; and his students looked up to him with pride,
affection, and complete trust, and with a certain humorous appreciation
of the happy audacity of his reconstructions, and of the naive simplicity
with which he presupposed their ability to accompany him in his lofty
and sustained flights.

In private life he was most trusty, friendly, and unassuming. One
of the ablest of many able men whom he taught aptly described him
as " the profoundest of scholars and the gentlest of men."

In 1870 he married Miss Orr of Belfast; and on 26th February,
1883, he died without issue, and he is buried in a quiet corner of
Balmoral Cemetery.

John Park.

T-^% iitv/ yor.K
PUBLIC LIBRARY

astor, lenwk
'tilden foundations

135

REV. REUBEN JOHN BRYCE, LL.D.

jD Ev. Reuben John Bryce, ll.d., was the eldest son of Rev.
James Bnxe, and was born at the Manse, Wick, X.B., in 1798.
His father accepted the congregation of Killaig, near Coleraine, in
1803, and his son Reuben was educated by himself and his wife (a fair
Greek scholar), and was entered at Glasgow College at an early age.
On obtaining his degree of M. A. he returned to Coleraine, where, after
his ordination, he opened a private school. Appointed Mathematical
Master in the Belfast Academy in 1824, he shortly afterwards became
Principal on the retirement of Rev. W. Bruce, D.D. He occupied this
important position for fifty-four years. Amongst his more distinguished
pupils were Lord Chancellor Cairns and (in his earliest years) his
nephew, the Right Hon. James Br)'ce, M.P. The honorar}- degree of
LL.D. was conferred upon him by the University of Glasgow ; and it
was generally understood that he would have been chosen to be
Professor of Greek there but for the existence at that time of a form
of theological test which he refused to take.

As a friend of Miss Edgeworth he visited Edgeworthstown, and
was in full agreement with her ideas of female education, which he
afterwards carried out in the Belfast Academy with successful results.
He co-operated with Sir Thomas Wyse and other pioneers of higher
education in Ireland, and exerted considerable influence in promoting
the scheme of the Queen's Colleges, afterwards carried through in a
form which he did not wholly approve of by Sir Robert Peel.

Amongst his literar)- works may be noted a Latin Prosody,
Ruddiman's Latin Grammar, an edition of Sallust, a Rational Intro-
duction to Music, and another on Greek Accents. He delivered in
London, early in the thirties, a series of remarkable lectures on the
Art and Science of Education, and was, indeed, the first person of

136 REV. REUBEN JOHN BRYCE, LL.D.

mark in this country who conceived the idea of handling the
subject of education as a practical science on philosophical principles.
Much of his time was devoted in later years to a scheme for the
government of the Belfast Royal Academy, which he lived to see
successfully carried out, in the new buildings erected at Cliftonville.
He was for many years the minister of the York Street United
Presbyterian Congregation. He died in the year 1888, and was buried
beside his father at Killaig.

R. M. Young.

Note.— I am indebted to the Right Hon. James Bryce, M.p., for a number of revisions in
this article.— R. M. Y.

137

JOHN FREDERICK HODGES,
M.D., F.I.C., F.C.S., J.P.

"TAr. Hodges was born in Downpatrick in the }ear 1815, and died
at Belfast in the year 1899.

For fifty years he was Professor of Agricultural Chemistry and
Lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence at Queen's College, Belfast, and
during the same period he acted as Chemical Director of the Chemico-
Agricultural Society of Ulster and Editor of ihejourtialoi that society,
in the pages of which he advocated incessantly those very principles
relating to the welfare of Ireland which have now borne fruit in the
establishment of the Agriculture and Technical Instruction Depart-
ment. He was for many years Government Anal)'st, and analyst for
several Ulster counties and for the city of Belfast.

In recognition of his splendid scientific services almost every
European country conferred degrees upon him. He received an
honorary diploma, in the name of Alexander the Second, from the
Imperial College of Gorygoretzk, Russia. He was an honorary
member of the Royal College of Stockholm, the Royal Academy of
Agriculture of Turin, the Apotheker Verein of North Germany, the
Imperial and Central Society of France, and the Vereeniging voor
Volkslight, Amsterdam.

He was M.D. of the Giessen University, and at Giessen he formed
a life-long friendship with the world-renowned chemist, Liebig. He
was also M.D. (Honoris Causa) of the Queen's University in Ireland.
He was one of the founders of the Royal College of Chemistr}',
London ; Professor of Chemistry in the old Royal Belfast College ;
President of the Natural History and Philosophical Society of Belfast

138 JOHN FREDERICK HODGES, M.D., F.I.C., F.C.S., J.P.

and of the Royal Academical Institution, Belfast ; twice a Vice-President
of the British Association ; and fellow of many other scientific societies
at home and abroad.

He was the author of well-known works on Agricultural Chemistry,
and a voluminous writer on many subjects.

He was Examiner in the Queen's University, Ireland, and he was
a Justice of the Peace for County Antrim.

A friend of enlightenment in every form, he identified himself with
the many valuable institutions which distinguish Belfast, amongst
which the Literary Society has played an important part, and it
received no small share of his interest and sympathy. Of noble
simplicity of character, self-effacing modesty was said to be his
distinguishing characteristic — "guileless" was the word by which many
described him. Kind, courteous, and affable, he had for all a pleasant
smile and a cheery word. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of
John Benn, Esq., of Glenravel House, Glenravel, County Antrim, and
sister of the two distinguished brothers, Edward and George. To her
wisdom and inspiring influence, he used to say he owed all his
honours and happiness.

M. Selina Hodges.

139

JAMES GLASGOW, D.D.

JAMES Glasgow was born in the district of the Braid, near Ballymena,
County Antrim, in the year 1805. His parents were farmers, and
probably of Scottish extraction.

Educated at the Grammar School of Ballymena, and subsequently
under the care of Dr. Paul of Carrickfergus, he afterwards entered the
old Belfast College, now the Royal Academical Institution, where the
remarkable bent of his mind towards mathematics, and consequent
progress in that and kindred sciences, elicited the warm commendation
of his teachers, and led him to contemplate being a candidate for the
chair of mathematics in the college, but from this nothing definite
seems to have resulted.

He, however, contributed several articles on mathematical and
scientific subjects to various publications of the time, and his interest
in this branch of study continued unabated throughout his life.

Determining finally on entering the ministry of the Presbyterian
Church, he was licensed by the Presbytery of Belfast, and in 1835
ordained to the pastoral charge of the congregation of Castledawson,
County Derry, in connection with the General Synod of Ulster.

On the awakening of missionary activity which followed the union
of the Ulster and Secession Synods, resulting in the formation of the
General Assembly of the Irish Presbyterian Church, Mr. Glasgow
offered himself as a missionar>', and, with IMr. Alexander Kerr, was
unanimously appointed to India, for which country, accompanied by his
wife, he sailed in 1840, and, in the provinces of Katiawar and Gujerat,
which had been chosen by the Assembly as their field of operations,
he resided for the next eleven years, labouring in circumstances of
great difficulty, though not without encouragement.

In 185 1 he revisited his native land on a three years' furlough.

140 JAMES GLASGOW, D.D.

returning to India in 1854, where he spent another ten years, and finally-
left his sphere of work there for a well-earned retirement in 1864.

On his return he was at once appointed by the Assembly to the
newly-established professorship of Oriental Languages in the Colleges
of Belfast and Derry, which position he held till his death, and he was
also selected by Government as examiner in Gujurati for the Indian
Civil Service.

In 1856 he received the degree of D.D. from Princeton College, the
offer coming almost simultaneously with a similar one from Glasgow
University, and among his other literary honours were those of Fellow
of the University of Bombay, Member of the Bombay branch of the
Royal Asiatic Society and of the Edinburgh Christian Missionary
Institute, and Secretary of the Gujurati Committee of the Bombay
Bible Society.

During the remainder of his life he resided chiefly in Belfast and
Portadown, in which latter place he died shortly before the meeting of
the Jubilee Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, 1890, of which he
would have been one of the most honoured members.

With his wife (Miss Mary Wightman of Lisburn)and one daughter,
who predeceased him, he is interred in Balmoral Cemetery.

Dr. Glasgow was a man of great erudition, and deeply versed in
Eastern languages and in all philological and linguistic studies.

Although prevented by the active duties of a missionary life from
devoting much time to purely literary work, he issued several important
publications, amongst which may be noted The Apocalypse Translated
and Expounded ; Heart and Voice, a contribution to the instrumental
music controversy ; A Commentary on Zachariah, which appeared in
the pages of the Oriental Christian Spectator; The Metrical Psalms in
Gujurati, and many tracts, hymns, and religious pamphlets in the same
language.

He also took a large share in the translation of the Bible into
Gujurati, and edited several educational works for the Indian
Government.

JAMES GLASGOW, D.D. I4I

Many of his works, however, including a new metrical version of
the Psalms in English, remain in MSS.

Dr. Glasgow was a man of middle stature, of singularly keen and
penetrating expression, cheerful and kindly disposition, and endowed
by nature with a vigorous constitution, which enabled him to withstand
for over twenty years the exhausting climate of India in constant
work, amid obstacles and conditions which the European resident of
the present day can scarcely realize.

SiNCLARE Ramsey.

142

WILLIAM MacILWAINE, D.D.

VX/'iLLIAM MacIlwaine was born in Dublin, 5th July, 1807. His
father came of a family of Scotch settlers from Ross-shire, one
of whom fought in the siege of Derry, and whose name is on the
roll of the defenders. Through his mother's mother he claimed des-
cent from Bishop Bedell of Kilmore, she having been only child of
a Stanford of Belturbet, who was direct descendant of the Bishop's
youngest daughter, and who inherited his property there from her.

In 1826 he entered Trinity College, Dublin, obtaining a scholar-
ship on entrance, and another in his junior sophister year (1829). In
each of his three sophister years he took the Vice-Chancellor's prize
for English verse, besides other distinctions, and entirely supported
himself by coaching fellow-students. On obtaining his degree and
leaving Trinity, in 1832, he took holy orders, and became curate of
Balteagh, in diocese of Derry, 1833. ^^ 1834 he went to Clough-
jordan, and in 1835 came to Belfast as curate to Rev. R. \V. Bland
at St. George's. On his marriage (February 1837) to Jane, eldest
daughter of Wm. Wilson, then of Wellington Place, Belfast, and after-
wards of Larkhill, Rathmines, Dublin, Mr. Bland resigned in his
favour, and he remained incumbent of St. George's until 1880, when
he resigned, on account of failing health, in favour of the present
minister, then his curate, Rev. Hugh Davis Murphy.

Early in his ministry Canon MacIlwaine spent much time and
study in Catholic controversy, his " Lent Lectures " on that subject
being crowded by Orange adherents for a good many years. He had
a large collection of literature on controversy, as well as an extensive
general library. Of later years he entirely gave up debatable subjects,
and was considered much broader, as well as " higher," in his opinions.

WILLIAM MacILWAINE, D.D. I43

He was an excellent classical and English scholar. Besides some
sermons, he published Death Conquered, and Other Poems, and several
other small volumes. He also published Lyra Hibernica Sacra, a
collection of the poems of Irish authors, which contained some original
writings, hymns, etc. He was Canon of St. Patrick's Cathedral,
Dublin, and D.D. of Trinity College.

Jane Stelfox.

144

JAMES CUMING, M.D.

A ?*I0NCST the many distinguished names which adorn the members'
roll of the Literary Society, there are few which recall an intellect
more profound, clear, and broad than the name James Cuming.

He was born in the County Armagh in the year 1833. As a boy
he was of a studious and quiet disposition, as unassuming and averse
to all personal display as he remained throughout life, and so silent
and retiring that even those who knew him best scarcely estimated
fully the depth and force of his abilities.

The school which he attended was taught by Mr. Macklin (who
subsequently became a professor in one of the Scotch colleges), and he
studied afterwards in St. Patrick's College, Armagh. Even in early
youth he showed a devoted love of country, and when time and
experience and the lessons of practical life had tempered his enthu-
siasm, there was still nothing more characteristic of him than the
interest he took in all that tended to the advancement and honour of
Ireland. He took no active part in the exciting politics of his day, nor
ever interfered in the municipal affairs of the city. Those who were
his intimates, however, knew how closely he followed the march of
events, and how clear and keen was his forecast of the future.

When his schooldays terminated he entered his name as a medical
student in the Queen's College, Belfast, and after gaining a senior
scholarship in chemistry, took out the degree of M.D. in 1855 and the
degree of M.A. in 1858. He subsequently studied in Paris and Vienna,
under Charcot and Oppalzer, and acquired whilst abroad that practical
knowledge of the French and German languages which in after years
he continued to cultivate and maintain. In his library were the
choicest classics of both literatures, and the medical periodicals of the

JAMES CUMING, M.D. I45

continent were constantly on his table. He was appointed Professor
of Medicine at the Queen's College, and Physician to the Belfast Royal
Hospital in 1865, and held both those positions until his death.

From the time that he commenced his practice in Belfast his repu-
tation steadily increased, and he ultimately reached an assured and
high position, due not merely to his professional attainments, but to his
rare personal gifts. His devotion to his patients of whatever rank, his
kindness, his genial manner, his undemonstrative and yet genuine
sympathy with the pain and distress which he laboured to relieve,
created for him innumerable friendships which no religious or political
differences ever weakened or destroyed. The offices he held were
evidences of the high esteem in which he was regarded, as well by the
general public as by the members of his own profession — the best
qualified to judge of his merit. He was twice President of the Ulster
Medical Society, President of the North of Ireland Branch of the
British Medical Association, Chairman of the Belfast District Asylum
Board, and, amongst other dignified positions, was elected President of
the British Medical Association in 1884, when that body held their
annual meeting in Belfast. Outside the range of his profession he was
a good scholar. His favourite classical author was Horace, with whose
good-natured cynicism he seemed to sympathize fully ; and one of
the best papers read before the Literary Society was his interesting
disquisition on the character and merits of that poet. He was an
excellent judge and critic of both English poetry and prose. When
he spoke in public, which was but rarely, the originality of his thoughts
and the delicate vein of humour with which he lightened subjects,
which, with less skilful treatment, might have been dull and mono-
tonous, always left deep and agreeable impressions on his audience.

His conversational powers were remarkable. He never talked for
effect ; he never dealt in monologue ; he conversed and did not lecture.
From the universal character of his reading, it was difficult to find any
subject which his answers and queries did not elucidate and develop,
and with him discussion never degenerated into dispute.

L

146 JAMES CUMING, M.D.

One great public work with which his name is inseparably con-
nected is the new General Hospital. For the interests of this institution
he laboured to the last, in spite of increasing and distressing physical
weakness, and with pathetic earnestness and devotion. He did not
live to see its completion, and died on 27 August, 1899.

It is a commonplace to say there is no man whose place cannot be
filled, but it is also true that there^are men whose characteristics are so
blended, so attractive, and so varied, that those who have enjoyed their
companionship and friendship feel that the place which was theirs must
remain for ever vacant, and that the loss which death has created is
irreparable. Dr. Cuming was surely such a man to his personal friends.
On his students the impress of his manly, wise, and cautious teaching
will leave lasting traces.

R. Kyle Knox.

147

SAMUEL JAMES MacMULLAN.

Camuel James MacMullan, the son of an officer of R. I.
Constabulaty, was born on 3rd June, 1842, at Hillsborough ;
was educated at Cookstown Academy and at Belfast Academy ;
entered Queen's College, Belfast, in 1858, and in 1864 graduated
M.A. in Queen's University.

He won many honours in classics and modern literature ; but in a
much fuller measure he drew to himself trust, esteem, and love. His
Latin professor, Dr. Reichel, afterwards Lord Bishop of Meath, "always
regarded him as peculiarly resembling the literary men of Germany,
in loving learning for itself rather than for its rewards." His was the
charm of knowledge that was sound and not pedantic — of a man}--
sided and sympathetic nature, of a simple and unaffected personality,
and of a bright and beautiful innocence that never left him and gave
him a rare capacity of kindly enjoyment —

" Low desires,

Low thoughts had there no place ; yet was his heart

Lowly."

Life and movement, children, and indeed all young things, his books,
his pencil, his music, his friends — with these he was content.

He spent many years in varied occupations — principal of Cookstown
Academy; assistant registrar and librarian at Queen's College, Belfast ;
head of a private school at Blackheath ; University extension lecturer
in London and in Belfast ; examiner in Royal University, Ireland ;
writing in 1886 a spirited pamphlet on the Irish question ; translating
in 1889 Dr. Geffcken's British Empire, and in 1890 Senilia, or Poems
in Prose, by his favourite, Turgenieff ; studying at home and on the
continent philology and literature ; and preparing with great care and
hterary finish lectures on his " immortals" — Shakespeare, INIilton, and
Wordsworth.

148 SAMUEL JAMES MacMULLAN.

He married in 1880 Miss Anne Weir of Cookstown, and two
children crowned his wedded happiness. In the spring of 1892 his
unobtrusive merit received suitable, if tardy, recognition — his appoint-
ment by the Crown to the Chair of History and English Literature in
Queen's College, Belfast, quickly followed by his election as a fellow
of the Royal University of Ireland.

He was an ideal professor : his lectures were fresh, full, and clear,
and in simple, nervous English ; he delighted in his students, who
thoroughly understood and loved him, in his work, in sketching the
scenery of France or Norway or his own country, and in his home and
his friends.

After a brief illness, he died on 19th December, 1900, and is buried
at his native town.

On social and political questions he would declare himself for
justice and sympathy, and (with his own interpretation) Imperium et
Libertas. He was warmly attached to the Church of Ireland, and
would speak with deep feeling of the strength and beauty of her
worship. Always and everywhere himself, a true, large-hearted, and
most lovable man — vncltis ilk bonis flebilis occidit — and the thought
of many was happily caught and fixed by his old friend. Sergeant
Dodd, K.C., in this touching sonnet :

" This church he loved, the village clustering near,
This quiet graveyard where his forebears rest —
With such observance as would please him best,
We bring him home. The organ o'er his bier
Sends forth his funeral march, uplifting, clear.
Meet coronach for him whose life-long quest
Was for the true, and for the true expressed
In form of perfect fitness. Strict, severe
Towards himself, and in his views of art.
Of life and letters. To his friends all heart,
A man of men ! His gentle, gracious ways,
His strenuous speech, his sketches and his fun,
Made life more sweet, made love and duty one.
So leave we him. He was too big for praise."

John Park.

APPENDICES.

151

APPENDIX I.

Officers of the Society.

I80I-2

PRESIDRNT.

Dr. James M'Donnell

Rev. Dr. Bruce

Dr. S. M. Stephenson

Rev. Dr. Bruce

VICE-

Rev. Dr.
Dr. S. M
John Tem

The OjD

PRBSIDBNT.
Bruce

SEC. AND TRBAS.
Doctor Thomson.

1802-3
1803-4

1804-5

1805-6
1806-7
1807-8
1808-9

1809-10
i8io-i I

Stephenson ..
pleton

Rev. W. H. Drummond

Ice abolished

r Rev. W. H. Drummond
\ (Resigned Feb. nth).
\ Dr. S. M. Stephenson.

Dr. James M'Donnell

Rev. Dr. Cupples

Rev. W. H. Drummond ..

James Drummond.
Henry Joy.
John Knox.

Rev. Dr. Bruce

Dr. James M'Donnell

Dr. S. M. Stephenson

Rev. A. O'Beirne.

181 1-12

Henry Joy.

1812-13
1813-14
1814-15
1815-16
1816-17
1817-18
1818-19
1819-20

Rev. Rossjebb

Rev. Dr. Bruce

Dr. James Drummond

Dr. James M'Donnell

Rev. William Bruce

Dr. Knight

Dr. Neilson

Rev. W. D. H. M'Ewen...
Professor James Thomson . .

1822-23
1823-24
1824-25
1825-26
1826-27
1827-28
1828-29

Professor Young

Rev. Professor Bruce

Monsieur D'Oisy

Rev. T. Dix Hincks

Rev. Henry Montgomery. . .
Rev. Dr. Bruce

Rev. \V. D. H. M'Ewen

Professor Cairns.

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY,

PRESIDENT. SEC. AND TREAS.

1829-30 Dr. Henry MacCormac Professor Cairns.

1830-31 Edmund Getty

I S3 1-32 Robert Patterson

1832-33 Dr. James M'Donnell

[ Rev. T. Dix Hincks ^

-o,, , I (The Rev. John Scott |

1*33 j4- Porter elected, but did j

1. not act) J

1834-35 Robert J. Tennent

1835-36 Rev. John Scott Porter

1836-37 James Macadam

1837-38 James Thomson Tennent

1838-39 William Thompson

1 839-40 James Thomson Tennent

1840-41 G. C. Hyndman

1S41-42 William Bottomley

1842-43 Rev. W. Hamilton

1843-44 John Grattan

1 844-45 Edmund Getty

1 845-46 Henry Garrett

1846-47 Robert S. MacAdam

1847-48 William Bottomley

1848-49 The Minutes of February 9th, 1848, are followed by an obituary notice of Dr. Cairns,
from the Whig of Saturday, 22nd April, 1849, and the Society does not
appear to have met during this session.

PRESIDENT. SECRETARY. TREASURER.

1849-50 Rev. John Scott Porter Edmund Getty Robert Patterson.

1S50-51 Professor Wilson Joseph John Murphy ,, ,,

1851-52 Professor Craik ,, ,, ,, ,,

1852-53 Alexander Mitchell ,, ,, ,, ,,

1853-54 Rev. John Scott Porter ,, ,, ,, ,,

1854-55 Isaac J. Murphy Rev. John Scott Porter ... ,, ,,

1855-56 Joseph J. Murphy ,, ,,

1856-57 Robert S. MacAdam ,, ,,

1857-58 Robert Patterson ,, ,,

1858-59 Alex. O'D. Taylor ,, ,,

1859-60 William Bottomley ,, ,,

1860-61 Alex. Mitchell ,, ,,

1861-62 Alex. Mitchell ,, ,,

1862-63 Alex. Mitchell ,, ,,

Joseph John Murphy.

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY.

153

PRESIDENT. SECRETARY.

1863-64 Rev. John Scott Porter Rev. John Scott Porter

1864-65 Professor James Thomson ...

1865-66 Professor Craik

1 866- 67 Professor Thomas Andrews

1S67-68 Professor MacDouall

186S-69 Rev. Dr. Murphy

1869-70 Dr. Henry Burden

1870-71 Rev. John Scott Porter Dr. Henry Burden.

1871-72 Robert Patterson

1872-73 Rev. Professor Glasgow

1873-74 Professor MacDouall

1874-75 Rev. John Scott Porter

1875-76 Dr. McCrea

1876-77 Professor Cuming, M.D

1877-78 Alex. O'D. Taylor

1S78-79 Rev. R. J. Bryce, LL.D

1879-80 Hugh Ilyndman, LL.D

1880-81 Professor Park, d.lit

1881-82 Professor Purser, m.a

1882-83 Professor Cuming, m.d

1883-84 Robert Young, c.E

1884-85 Rev. Professor Murphy

1 885 -86 Professor Byers, m.d

1886-87 C. E. Sheldon, D.LIT

1887-88 Hugh Hyndman, LL.D

1888-89 Professor Purser, m.a

1889-90 Rev. Dr. A. C. Murphy

1890-91 Professor Park, d.lit

1891-92 Dr. J. A. Lindsay, M. A., M.D.

1892-93 Joseph John Murphy Rev. R.W.Seaver

1893-94 Rev. Professor Murphy, D.D.

1894-95 Professor MacMullan, M.A.

1895-96 Professor Park, D.LIT Rev

1896-97 Rev. H. D, Murphy, d.d....

1897-98 H. S. Mcintosh, m.a

1898-99 Robert Young, c.E

1 899- 1 900 R. Kyle Knox, ll.d

1900-1901 Professor J. A. Lindsay,

M.A., m.d.

treasurer.
Joseph John Murphy.

m.a.,b.d.

Professor Pa
Richard W. Seaver.

k.

155

APPENDIX II.

Members of the Society, 1801-1901

with List of Papers read by them.

(Members at October 2j, igoi, marked thus * J

*AGNEW, ARCHIE W Elected Mar. 14, 1898.

April 10, 1899. " A defence of villains."

ANDERSON, JOHN M. Elected April 10, 1893.

ANDREWS, REV. SAMUEL Elected Dec. 6, 1880.

Feb. 7, 1881. "Chaucer."
Dec. 4,1883. "Shakespeare."

ANDREWS, PROFESSOR THOMAS, M.D., D.sc. Elected Jan. 21,1850.

President 1S66-7. Memoir at page 102.

Feb. S, 1855. " Notices of the Castle of Heidelberg."

Mar. 8, 185S. " On the influence of the discovery of the gold and silver mines of

America on the value of money."
Nov. 3, 1862. " Sketch of the writings and discoveries of Faraday."
May I, 1865. " The history and recent progress of spectrum analysis."
May 20, 1867. " Presidential address," in which he reviewed the life and labours of

Professor Craik.
Dec. 7, 1868. " The ancient and modern views of the constitution of matter."
Feb. 2, 1874. " The difficulties of France : their cause and remedy."

ARD, REV. J. ALBERT Elected Dec 6, 1875.

April 10, 1876. " Legends of many nations in relation to Scripture history."
Nov. 5,1877. " Literature of epitaphs."

ARMSTRONG, REV. JAMES, d.d Elected Nov. 8, 1805.

(Born 1780, died 1839.)

For Memoir see Did. of Nat. Biog., vol. 2, pp. 92-3.

156 MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

♦ARMSTRONG, WILLIAM Elected Dec. 5, 1898.

Jan. 9, 1899. " Artificiality of the present day."

*BEATTY, H. M., ll.d Elected Feb. 4, 1895.

Oct. 29, 1895. " Matthew Arnold."
Feb. 5, 1900. " Florence."

BLACKWOOD, PINXTAN Elected Nov. 16, 180 1.

Mar. 7, 1803. '* Suspended animation."

BOAS, F. S., M.A Elected Feb. 4,1889.

BOISRAGON, DR., of Bath, Elected Corresponding Member, Feb. 15, 1802.

BOLE, WILLIAM, M. A Elected Dec. 3, 1888.

Nov. 4, 18S9. " The recent strike of dock labourers in London."

BOTTOMLEY, WILLIAM Elected Dec. 2, 1839.

President 1841-2, 1847-8, 1859-60.

Mar. 9,1840. " On the art of painting in Greece."

Oct. II, 1841. "Notices of the genius and works of Leonardo da Vinci, Michael

Angelo, and Raphael."

Dec. 9, 1844. " Constellations of genius."

Jan. 16, 1S48. " Esthetical culture."

May 5, 1851. " On dramatists of the XVL and XVK. centuries."

Jan. 8, 1S55. " The policy of restrictions on commerce in time of war."

Jan. II, 1S58. " The principle of the Currency and the Bank Acts of 1844 and 1845."

Nov. 4, 1861. " Representative government."

April 12, 1864. " The life and times of Queen Elizabeth."

April I, 1867. " The Bank of England and its relations with the state, and with the

commercial interests of Great Britain."

Dec. 4,1871, " Recent excavations in Rome — the Palatine."

BOWDEN, — ., Surgeon, Portaferry (5^* Downpatrick, Elected April 19, 1802.

Resigned Dec. i, 1806.

Dec. 26, 1803. " The external use of cold water."
Mar. II, 1805. " The utility of hospitals."

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. 1 57

BRETT, CHARLES H Elected Jan. 10, 1870.

Re-elected Nov. i, 1880.

Dec. 5, 1870. " Notes on ihe topography of old Belfast."

Nov. I, 1875. " Notes on a parochial session book of the seventeenth century."

*BRO\VN, JOHN, F.R.s Elected Feb. 7,1887.

Feb. 3, 1891. " The development of molecular processes in the arts."

BRUCE, S Elected Jan. 21, I S50.

Feb. 6, 1S54. "On evidence before parliamentary committee on the National Gallery."

BRUCE, REV. WILLLVAI, d.d Original Member.

Vice-President 180 1-2.

President 1802-3, 1804-5, 1809-10, 1814-15, 182S-9.
Resigned March 7, 1831, and elected Honorary Member.
Memoir at page 29. Portrait at page 27.

" Classical learning."

" History of Homer and of his writings."

" The state of astronomy in the days of Homer."

" The state of geography in the days of Homer."

" Maynooth College."

" On the original of Lucretius."

" The state of navigation, etc., in the time of Homer."

" The state of society in the time of Homer."

" On the nature of light."

' ' Metaphysical argument for the existence and attributes of the Deity. "

" On the structure of English verse."

" A poetical imitation."

i" On the antiquities of Homer, Hesiod, and the Scriptures."

" Original letters of King James VI."

" Ideas as connected with language."

" On poetical numbers."

" Extra memoironan illuminated MS. of Bonaventura's Golden Book."

" Remarks on the history of Rome."

" Poetical imitations."

" On moral certainty."

" On party names."

Dec.

14.

180I.

Feb.

3.

1S06.

April

7.

1806.

Feb.

2,

1807.

Jan.

II.

180S.

Mar.

7.

1808.

Mar.

5.

1 8 10.

April

7,

1812.

May

4.

1812.

Mar.

7.

1814.

Dec.

4.

1815.

Nov.

4.

1816.

Oct.

5,

1818.

Nov.

2,

1818.

April

3.

1S20.

Nov.

5.

1821.

Mar,

7,

1823.

April

4.

1823.

Nov.

5.

1824.

Nov.

6,

1826.

Feb.

4.

182S.

Nov.

2,

1829.

158 MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

BRUCE, REV. PROFESSOR WILLIAM ... Elected Oct. 5, 1812.

President 1817-18, 1824-25.
Resigned January 8, 1855. Memoir at page 48.

Mar. I, 1813. " On the antiquity of the Hebrew language."

Mar. 4, 1816. " Account of the different MSS. and editions of the Bible."

Oct. 4,1819. " On the chronology of the New Testament."

Mar. 5,1821. " Corroborations of the early history of the world."

Feb. 7, 1823. " On the affinity between the language and customs of the Greeks

and Romans."
Oct. I, 1824. " Essay on the systems of education pursued in our universities."
April 3, 1826. " A chronological account of some of the dramatic poets of Greece

whose works are lost."
Mar. 3, 1828. " Analysis of Eichhorn's attempt to reduce the Apocalypse to a

dramatic poem."
Dec. 7,1829. " The Greek syntax of Matthire."

Dec. 5, 1831. " Biographical notices of the revival of Greek literature in Italy."
Mar. 5, 1838. " University education."

Jan. 16,1843. " Remarks on ffidipus Tyrannus of Sophocles."
April 4, 1845. "Account of Miiller's introduction to a scientific system of

mythology."

BRYCE, REV. R. J., ll.d., of the Belfast Academy. Elected May 2, 1864.
President 1878-9. Memoir at page 135. Portrait at page 133.

Mar. 6, 1865. " Specimens of unpublished poetry in the Scoto- Hibernian dialect of
the North of Ireland, with notices of their author, the Rev.
R. Magill, and of the character and habits of the people."
Nov. 9, 1868. " The classification and terminology of grammar."
April 7, 1873. " Phonology ; or the relations of the sounds of spoken language."
April I, 1878. " Prevailing errors on the function of governments with regard to

public education."
Feb. 6, 1882. " Efforts for the extension of university education in Ireland."

BURDEN, DR. HENRY Elected Nov. i, 1858.

President 1869-70. Secretary 1870-1892.
Memoir at page 128.
Feb. 7,1859. " The language of science."

May 5, 1862
April 3, 1865
May II, 1868
Feb. 10, 1873
Jan. II, 1875
Nov. 3, 1879

" On the physiology of the organ of the voice."

" Spontaneous generation."

" Geographical distribution of plants and animals.

" Living or dead ? "

" The ear, and musical sounds."

" Priestley."

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

159

BYERS, PROFESSOR JOHN, m.a., m.d. ... Elected April 2, 1883.
President 1SS5-6.
Dec. I, 18S4. " Recent advances in our knowledge of the causes of disease."

CAIRNS, PROFESSOR WILLIAM Elected April 3, 1820.

President 1822-3. Secretary 1828-49.

Died April 21, 1849.

Memoir at page 67. Portrait at page 65.

" The origin of universities."

" The origin of academical degrees."

" The origin of universities."

" The origin of universities."

" The classification of the sciences."

" The history of colleges."

" The origin of the modem drama."

" The school of Pythagoras."

" The origin of castes in society."

" The commencement of the Saracen schools."

" Remarks on Milton's Comus and Fletcher's /a/V/i/w/ Shepherdess."

" Notices of Roger Ascham's Schoobnaster."

" Remarks on the Agamemnon of ^schylus."

" Notices of Manderville's Travels."

" On the works of Joseph Glanvill."

" Notices of early romances concerning Prince Arthur."

"Notices of the account of Dante in Carlyle's Hero-worship."

" Notices of fairy mythology."

" Notices of early colleges in Ireland."

" Notice of part of Sir John Herschel's address to British Association."

" Remarks on the similes of Homer."

" Remarks on Milton's prose style."

" Notice of Fenn's original letters."

Dec.

4.

S20.

Jan.

7.

1822.

Dec.

5.

1S23.

April

I,

825.

Mar.

5,

827.

Jan.

5,

1829.

Feb.

I,

[830.

April

2,

1832.

April

7.

[834.

Oct.

10,

1836.

May

3.

837.

Jan.

8,

1838.

May

7.

1838.

Nov.

II.

1S39.

April

27,

1840.

May

10,

S41.

Dec.

6,

[841.

Mar.

7.

[842.

Mar.

3.

1845.

Nov.

10,

1845.

May

4,

1846.

Nov.

2,

1846.

Feb.

7.

[848.

*CALWELL, DR. WILLIAM, m.a

May 2,1892. " A modern chapter in anthropology."

CAMPBELL, DR. JOHN

CARTER, WILLIAM

CHALLICE, LIEUT.-COLONEL

Mar. 5,1894. " Macaulay and Carlyle."

Elected Mar. 2, 1891.

Elected Dec. 4, 1893.
Elected Jan. 11, 1892.
Elected Dec. 4, 1893.

l6o MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

CHARLEVILLE, LORD Elected Honorary Member Dec. 7, 181 2.

CHARTERS, T. S Elected Mar. i, 1886.

Feb. 7, 18S7. " Guslave Flaubert."

*COLBECK, JAMES Elected Dec. 10, 1894.

Feb. 3, 1896. " A forgotten poet " (Spenser).

COLLIER, DR. W. F Elected Mar. i, 1886.

COLLINS, REV. EDWIN Elected Jan. 14,1884.

April 7, 1884. " The Book of Job."

May 5,1884. " The Book of Job." Additional remarks.

COUmES, Si^rgeon Elected Oct. 3,1808.

Feb. 6, 1809. " Contagion of ophthalmia."

Feb, 5, 1810. " Arrangement and economy of military hospitals."

Mar. 4, 181 1. "Inland navigation, commercial intercourse, and agricultural

improvements in Ulster."
Oct. 3,1814. " On best construction of hospitals."
Feb. 5, 1816. " An account of Lough Erne."

CONNELL, REV. J Elected Mar. 6,1893.

*COONEY, REV. S. E Elected April 2,1894.

Feb. 4,1895. " A new theory of service."
Jan. 8,1900. " The moral basis of war."

COWAN, P. CHALMERS, B.Sc Elected Jan. 11,1892.

Feb. 5, 1894. " On some causes and effects of superficial thinking."

COWAN, MAJOR S. K. Elected Jan. 13,1896.

Dec. 2, 1895. (-^s a visitor) "The art of poetry."

CRAIG, JAMES, of Carrickfergus Elected Nov. 16, 1801.

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. l6l

CRAIK, PROFESSOR GEORGE LILLIE, ll.d. Elected Feb. 3, 185 1.
President 185 1-2, 1865-6.
For Memoir see Diet, of Nat. Biog., vol. 13, p. i.

Dec. I, 1851. "True principle of a national system of education." (Note in

minutes : " Printed at length in Northern Whis^" of Dec. 27,

1851.)
May 2, 1853. " Labour, pauperism, and crime."
April 6,1857. " Vocabulary of the English language."
May 14, i860. " On the studies which are necessary to maintain a high standard of

civilization."
April 8,1861. " New application of the examination test."
May 2, 1864. " On the political system established in England by the Norman

Conquest."

CROMBIE, COUNSELLOR Original Member.

Jan. 10,1803. " Principles of feudality."
Nov. 4, 1805. " Feudal principles."

CUMING, PROFESSOR JAMES, m.a., m.d. ... Elected Jan. 20, 1873.
President 1876-7, 1882-3. Memoir at page 144.

May 19, 1873. "The demon of Socrates."

Jan. 13,1879. " Heinrich Heine."

Jan. 15,1883. " Pliny the younger."

Dec. 3, 1888. " Language and the brain."

April 20, 1896. "Horace."

CUPPLES, REV. DR., of Lisbiirn Elected Dec. 14, 1801.

President, 1806-7. Resigned October 4, 18 19.

"The first peopling of Ireland, and ancient state of Carrickfergus."

" Continuation of the history of Carrickfergus.

" Discourse on the history of Carrickfergus."

" The principles of commerce."

" The principles of commerce."

" Account of Glenavy."

"The respective claims of Scotland and Ireland to priority in point

of antiquity.
" History of Lisburn."

Whether there be any real standard of taste, and how that standard
is to be obtained."

On the beautiful."

Nov.

19.

1804.

Oct.

6,

1806.

May

2,

1808.

Nov.

6,

1809.

Dec.

3.

I8I0.

Dec.

2,

I8II.

May

3.

I8I3.

April
April
May

3.
I,

6,

I8I5.
I8I6.
I8I6.

April

6,

I8I8.

M

l62 MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

CURRY, DOCTOR JAMES, of London,

Elected Corresponding Member, Feb. 15, 1802.

*D'ARCY, THE VERY REV. C. I ., Dean of St. Anne's.

Elected Dec. 3, 1900.

Feb. 11,1901. " Life and art."

DICK, J. C Elected Nov. 3,1884.

Feb. 2, 1S85. " Some peculiarities of Ruskin's teaching in art."

*DILL, PROFESSOR SAMUEL, m.a Elected Nov. 10, 1890.

Nov. 3,1891. " Reflections on the state of society and literature."
Mar. 14, 1898. " The Athens of Phidias and Pericles."

DODD, W. H., K.c, Sergeani-at-Law ... ... Elected Feb. 7, 1870.

Jan. 9, 1871. " The claims of political economy to be considered as a science."

DODS, ROBERT, M.A Elected May 21, 1883.

Feb. 4, 18S4. " Some notes on higher education."

D'OISY, MONSIEUR Elected Nov. 5, 182 1.

President 1825-6. Resigned February 5, 1S38.
Returned to Belfast, and by resolution regarded as still a
member, November 18, 1844.

Feb. 4, 1822

Jan. 2, 1824

May 6, 1825

April 2, 1827

Nov. 3, 1828

Jan. 3, 183 1

April I, 1833

April 6, 1835

May 4, 1835

Feb. 3, 1845

" On the origin and progress of the Italian language and literature."

" Essay on French poetry."

" Essay on the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 9th cantos of Tasso's ferusalem

Delivered. "
" Essay on different methods of teaching languages."
" On the tendency of periodical works."
"Comparative view of the organization of the French and British

armies."
" Italian improvisatori,"
" On the commerce and wealth of France."
"The applicability of the principles of free trade to the present

situation of France."
" On the respective composition of the British and French armies."

May

5,

i8o6.

Nov.

I.

1813.

Oct.

2,

1815.

Jan.

6,

1817.

Mar.

3.

1817.

Oct.

6,

1817.

Nov.

I,

1819.

Nov.

6,

1820.

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. 1 63

DRENNAN, DR Elected Jan. 21,1850.

Resigned October 6, 1S51.

DRUMMOND, JAMES LAWSON, m.d. ... Elected Mar. 3, 1806.

President 1815-16. Secretary 1806-7.

Born 1783, died 1853.

For Memoir see Did. of Nat. Biog., vol. 16, pp. 33, 34.

" Spontaneous generation."
" The anatomy of the eye."
" On the food of the class mainmaha."
" On the construction of the nests of different birds."
" Sketches of the natural history of the bat tribe of animals."
" The tenacity of life in animals."
" Sketches respecting the motions of animals."

" On the changes produced on the atmospheric air and on the blood
by respiration."

DRUMMOND, REV. W. H., d.d Original Member.

President 1807-8. Secretary 1803-5.
Memoir at page 37. Portrait at page 35.

May 17, 1802. " On the sublime and beautiful of Scripture."

Jan. 14,1805. " On the fisheries of Antrim." ^

Mar. 2,1806. " Trafalgar " [a poem].

Mar. 2, 1807. " Poem on the Giant's Causeway."

April 10, 1809. " Topographical observations on the coast of the county of Antrim."

April 2, iSio. " History of painting."

May 5, 1811. " History of Ireland."

Jan. 4, 1813. " Poem on Contemplation."

Dec. 5, 1814. " Life and writings of the Greek poet Lycophron."

*DRUMMOND, REV. W. H., b.a Elected Dec. 3, 1900.

Mar. 4,1901. " The place of literature in education."

DUFFIN, ADAM, LL.D Elected April 10, 1876.

May 7, 1877. " The development of legal systems."

April 4, 1881. " Short time as a remedy for depression in trade."

l64 MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

*DUNKERLEY, REV. THOMAS, m.a Elected Nov. 6, 1883.

Mar. 3, 1884. " The conversations of S. T. Coleridge."
Dec. I, 1S90. " Aithnr Hwgh dough's DipsycAtis."

*ELLIOTT, G. H Elected Feb. 4, 1889.

Jan. 12, 1 89 1. " Prose fiction as an educative and a recreative medium in public
libraries."

^ELLIOTT, J. B Elected April i, 1901.

EMERSON, JAMES Elected Oct. 4, 1830.

(afterwards Sir James Emerson Tennent). Resigned Oct. 15, 1838.

For Memoir see D/ci. of Nat. Biog., vol. 56, p. 65.

Nov. I, 1830. "The state of the fine arts amongst the Greeks during the Middle
Ages."

EVANS, REV. THOMAS W Proposed May 3, 1852.

Dec. 13,1852. " Oriental elements in European languages."

FINLAY, REV. WILLIAM, Dundonald ... Elected Oct. 2, 1826.

Feb. 5, 1827. " Essay on the early history' of the Reformation in Ireland."

May 5, 1828. " Sketch of the history of the Reformation in Ireland during the reign

of James I."
Jan. 4, 1830. " On the history of the Reformation in Ireland during the reign of

Charles I."
Jan. 2, 1S32. "Sketches of the history of the Reformation in Ireland during the

reign of Charles I."
Feb. 3,1834. " Literary composition of the Bible."

FORDYCE, REV. JOHN Elected Dec. i, 1884.

Elected Honorary Member December 2, 1889.
April 6, 1S85. " Modern pessimism."

FORRESTER, J. W Elected May i, 1871.

Jan. 8, 1872. " Pauperism."

FOSTER, T. W., M.A Elected Dec. 4, 1893.

April 2, 1894. " Is knowledge worth having? "

FRING3, PROFESSOR, ph.d Elected Mar. i, 1852.

Resigned November 4, 1861.

May 3,1852. "German, English, and French versification."
April 3,1854. " History and genius of the French language."
Dec. 7,1857. " Causes of the universality of the French language."

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. 165

FRIPP, REV. EUGAR I., h.a Elected April 4, 1892.

April 10, 1893. " Browning's Paracelsus."

FRIZELL, REV. C. W., ma Elected Jan. 15, 1894.

Jan. 30, 1S99. " A journey to London one hundred years ago."

FUHR, ERNEST A Elected Jan. 20, 1873.

Nov. 3, 1S73. " Lcssing : his life and works."

Nov. 4,1878. " Capital and labour."

Nov. 14, iSSi. " Recollections of Andalusia."

Jan. 14, 1889. " Impressions of Spain."

FULLER, GEORGE, c.e Elected Jan. 9, 1854.

GARRETT, HENRY Elected Oct. 7, 1833.

President 1845-6. Appointed Hon. Member Nov. 2, 1857.

Jan. 6, 1834. " History of the Poor Laws in England."

Mar. 2,1835. " On capital punishment. "

Mar. 7,1836. " On taxation."

April 8,1839. " Analysis of Whately's i?/%^/onV. "

Nov. 9, 1840. " Notices of Benlham's Z)i?/ir«f« ^ i/^wry."

Feb. 8, 1847. " The tenure of land in Ireland."

Mar. 4,1850. " 'Notices o( Frient/s in CounaV."

GETTY, EDMUND Elected Feb. i, 1830.

President 1830-31, 1844-45. Secretary 1849-50.

Memoir at page 82.

April 5,1830. "The silkworm."

May 7, 1832. "Of attempts at cultivating silk in different parts of Europe."

Dec. 3, 1832. " Memoir of Mr. David Manson."

Mar. 4, 1833. " On the navigation of the Scheldt, as connected with the commerce

and politics of Europe at different periods. "

Oct. 6, 1S34. " The primitive lavas of Etna."

Oct. 17, 1842. " On the true history of Lucian."

Mar. 6,1843. " On the characters of Medea and Lady Macbeth."

Jan. 6,1845. " Notices of Irish romances, entitled The Battle of Moiray

Feb. 2,1846. " Notices of some Latin stories of the Middle Ages."

May 6,1850. " Translations of porcelain seals found in Ireland."

Mar. 3, 1856. " On the ancient divisions of land in Ireland."

l66 MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

GLASGOW, REV. DR. JAMP:S Elected May 3, 1869.

President 1872-3. Elected Hon. Member Nov. 3, 1884.

Memoir at page 139.

Mar. 7, 1870. " Googerat : its geology, its tribes, and its literature."

April 6, 1874. " The eligibility of women as members of literary societies."

April 5, 1S75. " Cognates and derivatives."

Jan. 10, 1881. " The last quarter of the nineteenth century."

GODWIN, JOHN Elected Dec. 5, 1836.

GORDON, REV. ALEXANDER, m.a Elected Jan. 12, 1880.

Mar. I, 1880. " Servetus as an astrologer."

GRATTAN, JOHN Elected Feb. 7, 1842.

President 1843-44. Resigned November 7, 1853.

Memoir at page loi.

May 2, 1842. " Phrenological ethics."

Feb. 12, 1844. " Phrenological observations on the treatment of criminals."

GRAY, REV. JAMES Elected Jan. 6,1823.

Died 1830 (see Diet, of Nat. Btog., vol. 23, p. 8).

April 4, 1823. " On the moral character of Burns the poet."

Dec. 3, 1824. " Remarks on the edition of Honur published by the Rev. James
Kennedy."

GRIMSHAW, W Elected Dec. 6, 1897.

HALL, FREDERICK, Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy
in the College of Middleburg, in America.

Elected Corresponding Member April 10, 1809.

HAMILTON, REV. WILLIAM Elected Dec. 14, 1840.

President 1842-3.

Went to Canada November 1844 [Note in Minutes].
Mar. 8, 1841. " The combined influence of taste and religion in society."

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY,

HANCOCK, DR. NEILSON

Memoir at page 105.
Mar. 3,1851. " Mill's opinions on the law of partnership."

167

Elected Jan. 21, 1850.

HARLIN, THOMAS Elected May 3, 1858.

Appointed Honorary Member Jan. 8, 1866, being about to
emigrate to Queensland.

Dec. 6, 1858. " Observations on the systems of the Irish Qu- en's Colleges."
Jan. 5, 1863. " On railway accidents."

Jan. 8, 1866. " Robert Stephenson and Isatnbard Brunei : a comparison of their
lives and labours."

HENDERSON, W. D

Re-elected Dec. i, 1879.

Elected May 3, 1869.

Jan. 19,1870. " Our colonial empire."

Feb. 8, 1875. " Some phases of modern scientific thought."

May 3, 1880. " Resemblance between some early Jewish and Irish land customs."

*HENRY, R. M., m.a

Dec. 3, 1900. " Greek life in Alexandria.

Elected Jan. 8, 1900.

HERDMAN, JOHN O.

Elected Jan. 11, 1892.

HERON, REV. PROFESSOR JAMES, d.d.

Nov. 7, 1887. " Modern civilization."

Elected Feb. 7, 1887.

HIGGINSON, REV. THOMAS, of Lisburn ... Elected Jan. 5, 1807.

Oct. 5, 1807. " On the atmosphere. "
Dec. 5, 1808. " On the parish of Lambeg."

l68 MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
HILL, FRANK H. Elected Dec. 2, 1861.

Mar. 10, 1862. "On the sources of the English language."

Dec. 5, 1864. " The contribution to knowledge and the influence on character of

the sense of sight, illustrated by the mental and moral qualities

of the blind."

HINCKS, REV. T. DIX Elected Nov. 5, 1821.

President 1826-7, 1833-4-
Memoir at page 69.

Mar. 4, 1822. " An embassy from Henry VHI. to the Emperor Charles V. in 1538."

Feb. 6, 1824. " On saltpetre."

Oct. 7, 1S25. " Essay on the bogs of Ireland."

Dec. 4, 1826. " On the fungi."

May 7, 1827. " Remarks on the early period of the history of Britain antecedent

to the Saxon era."
Feb. 2, 1829. " On lexicography. "

May 2, 1 83 1. " Remarks on the state of England in the reign of Edward VI."
Jan. 7, 1833. " Extracts from the second volume of MSS. letters of Sir PhiHp

Hoby while residing at Augsburg, 154S."
Nov. 2,1835. " On etymology."
April 2,1838. " Account of Jussieu's class of Amentaceous plants."

HINCKS, REV. EDWARD. Elected Corresponding Member May 5, 185 1.
Memoir at page 116.
May 5, 1856. " On the early steps in the interpretation of cuneatic inscriptions."

HODGES, PROFESSOR JOHN F., m.d. ... Elected Nov. 4, 1867.

Memoir at page 137.

Feb. 3, 1868. " On diffusion and some of its applications in chemical analysis."
Dec. 2, 1872. *' Spectrum analysis."

*HURST, W. J Elected Nov. 2, 1885.

Mar. 1,1886. " Classical education."

*HUTTON, ARTHUR W. Elected Dec. 4, 1899.

Mar. 5, 19CXJ. " Critics and anonymity."

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. 169

HYNDMAN, CxEORGE C Elected Dec. 5, 1836.

President 1840-41.

Resolution of condolence on his death, Jan. 13, 1868.
Memoir at page 76.
April 3, 1837. " On Lamarck's Order of Cirrhopodes."
Feb. 8, 1 84 1. " On the climate of Ireland at different periods."
Mar. I, 1S47. " On Professor Forbes's views of The conntxion of the distribution of
the fauna and /lora in the British Islands, with geological
formations.'^
Dec. 10, 1855. " Recently introduced trees and shrubs."
Feb. 4, 1861. "On Mr. Darwin's theory respecting the origin of species."

*HYNDMAN, HUGH, ll.d Elected May 3, 1858.

President 1879-80, 1887-8.

Jan. 10, 1859. " A glance at the literature of Britain during the early years of the
present cycle."

Mar. 2, 1863. " The origin of civil society."

April 9, 1866. " Suggestions on the land question."

Feb. 8, 1869. " On the office of Gustos Rotulorum."

jNIar. 2, 1874. " Sketch of the judicial systems of England, with special reference
to the constitution and powers of the Supreme Court of
Judicature, erected by the Act of 1873."

Mar. 3, 1879. " The protection of intellectual products."

May 21, 1883. " The tenor of bankruptcy legislation."

Feb. 4, 1889. " Voluntary continuation (evening) schools."

JEBB, REV. ROSS Elected Nov. 4, 181 1.

President 1813-14. Resigned April 1815.
Mar. 2,1812. " The first peoples of America."
Feb. 7,1814. " On population."

JENKINS, EDWARD, m.p Elected Dec. i, 1884.

May 4, 1885. "The decay of parliaments."

*JOHNSTON, WILLIAM SMYTH, m.a. ... Elected Jan. 11, 1892.

Jan. 2, 1893. " Rhythm in poetry."

Jan. 13, 1896. " Contemporary movements in France."

Feb. I, 1S97. "A talk about Rudyard Kipling."

*JONES, R. M., M.A Elected Jan. 2, 1893.

Dec. 4, 1S93. " Some portraits from The Ring and the Book "

170 MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

JOY, HENRY Original Member.

President 1808-9. Secretary 1807-8 and 181 1-23.
Retired and elected an Honorary Member October i, 1S24.
Memoir at page 43. Portrait at page 41.

" Establishment of Presbyterian settlers in province of Ulster."
" Historical account of the rise and progress of the volunteers in
Ireland."

" On the linen manufacture."

" The use of organs in Christian worship."

" Dissertation on the harp."

" The ancient music of Ireland."

" On the history of the bagpipe."

" The early history of Belfast. Part I. From earliest times to the

Revolution of 1688."
" The early history of Belfast. Part 2."
" The early histor}- of Belfast. Part 3."
" A tour through Cumberland."
" Remarks on public charity, with an account of the rise, progress,

and present state of the present charitable foundations in Belfast."
"On the uncertaint}- of history, and the misrepresentations of

historians."
" The misrepresentations of some modern historians, exemplified in

Horace Walpole, Lord Orford's writings."
" Portion of a preface intended for the second volume of Edward

Bunting's Collection of Ancioit Irish Music. [Illustrated by

Valentine Rainy on the Irish harp.] "
May 2, 1823. " Short memoir relating an inter\-iew he had with Robert Burns the

poet in 1794."

KERR, REV. W. S., B.D. Elected Dec. 4, 1899.

April 2, 1900. •' Characteristics of the Irish ballad."

KIRWAN, RICHARD, of Dublin. Elected Hon. Member May 17, 1802.
Born 1733, died 181 2.
For Memoir see Diet, of Nat. Biog., vol. 31, pp. 22S-30.

KNIGHT, WILLIAM, ll.d., Lecturer on Natural Philosophy in the Belfast
Academical Institution ... ... ... Elected Mar. 3, 18 17.

President 18 18-19. Died 1844.

For Memoir see Diet, of Nat. Biog., vol. 31, pp. 266-7.

Jan. 5, 1818. " On the primary rocks."

Dec. 6, 1S19. " A description of the Giant's Causeway."

May 7, 1S21. " On the order of teaching the sciences."

Feb.

1803.

May

21,

1804.

Aug.

4.

1806.

Nov.

2,

1807.

Oct.

3.

1808.

Oct.

2,

1S09.

Oct.

I,

1810.

Nov.

4.

1811.

April

5.

1S13.

Mar.

6,

1815.

April

I,

1816.

Feb.

2,

1818.

Jan.

3.

1820.

April

3.

1821.

April

I,

1S22.

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. 17I

KNOX, JOHN Elected Dec. 14, 1801.

Secretary 1S08-10. Memoir at page 47.

May 2, 1803. " The mode of ascertaining the longitude and latitude of places."

Nov. 28, 1803. " The principles of watch and clock making."

Oct. 22, 1S04. " Essay on gravity. "

Dec. I, 1806. " New escapement of a clock."

Feb. I, 180S. " Account of Herschel's system of astronomy."

Nov. 7, 1S08. " On the latitude and longitude of Belfast."

•L , ■ ' „ ■ >" Causes that produce concentric rings, etc."

Jan. 8, 18 1 2. " Optical discoveries."

Oct. 4, 1813. " Observations on a paper read by Dr. Bruce in May 1812 on The
nature of light. '^

Jan. 3, 1814. " Sketch of his late journey from Belfast to London."
May I, 1S15. "Credulity."

*KNOX, R. KYLE, LL.D Elected Mar. 2, 1896.

President 1S99-1900.

April 5, 1S97. " Bimetallism."

Nov. 6,1899. " Letters from a regimental officer during the Peninsular war."

LAMB, WILLL\M WATSON Elected Dec. 4, 1876.

Feb. 5,1877. " The life and poetrj- of Wordsworth."
April 12, 18S0. " The poetry of Byron."
May 3, 1886. "Pope."

LEITCH, REV. PROFESSOR, d.d., d.lit. ... Elected Jan. 10, 1881.
May 2, 1S81. " Scientific criticism appUed to ancient books."

LESLIE, PROFESSOR, T. E. CLIFFE, ll.d., d.lit.

Elected Jan. 8, 1855.
Resigned February 4, 1861.

For Memoir see Encydopcedia Britannka, 9th edition, vol. 14,
pp. 477-8.
Nov. 5, 1855. " On international law."

LESTRANGE, THOMAS Elected May 5, 1851.

Resigned January 5, 1852.

172 MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

♦LINDSAY, PROFESSOR JAMES A., m.a , m.d. Elected Jan. 14, 1889.

President 1891-2, 1900-1.

Mar. 3, 1890. " The Pasteurian method."

Mar. 2, 1896. " The Divina Commedia."

April 4, 1898. " Three weeks in Sicily."

Nov. 5, 1900. " An appreciation of Browning."

LITHGOW, DR. DAVID, of Coleraine ... Elected Nov. 6, 1815.

MACADAM, JAMES Elected Nov. 6, 1831.

President 1836-7. Memoir at page 88.

Feb. 6, 1832. " Considerations on the physical sciences in general, and geology- in
particular. "
" On the cosmogonic opinions of the ancients."
' ' Physical geography. "
" On the natural history of ice."
" The histor)- of fuel."
" Notice of Carlyle's Cromwell."

" The opinions of different writers concerning cause and effect."
" On the plurality of worlds."

MACADAM, ROBERT S Elected May 3, 1837.

President 1846-7, 1856-7. Memoir at page 100.

Feb. 13,1837. " Account of a tour in Belgium."

Nov. 6, 1837. "Translationof Count A. de Bylandt's Cfij/^j^Va/ 7a«r ?'« .5cA«v/?a."

April 12, 1841. " Statistics of Belgium."

Feb. 6, 1843. "Notes of a tour, by himself, in 1S34, thro' parts of Switzerland,

Savoy, and the South of France."

Mar. 4, 1844. " Tour in Switzerland."

April 12, 1847. " State of society in Sweden, from Laing's Travels."

AprU 5, 1852. " The traces of the Scandinavians in Ireland."

Feb. 2, 1857. " On the changes now in progress in the English language."

MACADAM, JAMES, Jun Elected Feb. 7, 1848.

Left Belfast (see Minutes, 7th March, 1859).

Jan. 3, 1853. " On the Hansa towns."
Mar. 2, 1857. " French literature."

Mar.

3,

1834.

Dec.

4.

1837.

Jan.

6,

1840.

Jan.

3>

1842.

Jan.

12,

1846.

Mar.

9.

1846.

April

7.

1856.

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. 1 73

M'CLURE, REV. EDMUND Elected Jan. 8, 1872.

April 15, 1S72. " Historical and scientific notes on the Aurora Borealis."

M'COMB, REV. PROFESSOR SAMUEL, b.d. Elected Mar. 6, 1893.
Nov. 13, 1893. " The moral teaching of Nath. Hawthorne."

M'CAMBRIDGE, DR Original ^^ember.

Mar. 15, 1802. " Advantages of educating the blind."

MacCORMAC, DR. HENRY Elected May 5, 1828.

President 1829-30. Memoir at page 80.

Dec. I, 182S. " The formation of character."

Dec. 6, 1830. " The universal method of instruction, by Jacotot "; in the course
of which the system was illustrated by an examination of
fourteen pupils of Mr. Harkins on some portions of Johnson's
Rasselas.

M'CORMICK, WILLIAM Elected Mar. 3, 1873.

Dec. I, 1873. " On prison discipline, its history and reform."

M'CREA, DR. JOHN Elected Dec. 3, 1866.

President 1875-6.

Mar. 4,1867. "Vital force."

Nov. 6, 1871. "Speech."

Nov. 6, 1876. " Legislation for habitual drunkenness."

M'DONNELL, REV. C Elected Jan 8, 1900.

*M'DONNELL, DANIEL, M.D Elected Dec. 5, 1892.

Mar. 6, 1893. " Verse considered from a physiological point of view."
Jan. II, 1897. "Antigone: an ethical study."

Nov.

8,

1802.

Mar.

26,

1804.

April 23,

1804.

April

7,

1806.

April

6,

1807.

April

4.

1808.

May

I,

1809.

June

4>

1810.

Oct.

7.

1811.

Jan.

•2,

1815.

Jan.

8,

1816.

April

7,

1817.

May

3,

1819.

Feb.

5.

1821.

Jan.

6,

1823.

May

7,

1824.

Mar.

6.

1826.

Jan.

1828.

May,

4.

1829.

Nov.

6,

1831.

Nov.

4,

1833-

174 MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

M'DONNELL, JAMES, M.D Original Member.

First President 1801-3.

Also President in 1805-6, 1810-11, 1816-17, 1832-33.

Memoir at page 25. Portrait facing title-page.

"The topography and mineralogy of the county of Antrim."

"The resemblance between the fossils of the North of Ireland and

those of Italy."
"Account of a mineralogical itinerary in the counties of Down,

Antrim, and Derry."
" Mineralogy of the county of Antrim."

" Mineralogy of the province of Ulster."

" On the pulse and breathing of animals."

" On the causes of the universality of the French tongue."

" On the structure of language."

" On typhus fever."

" On fever."

" Remarks and experiments on the breathing, heat, and pulse."

" On the practicability and use of connecting a school of physic and

surgery with the hospital at Belfast."
" On the pulsation and breathing of animals."
" Account of a descent in a diving bell."
" On the effects of climate upon animal Hfe."
" On climate."

" On the origin and history of the public charities in Belfast and its
vicinity."

Jan. 4, 1836. " Notes on public and private libraries, museums, etc., in the North
of Ireland, taken from observation, and recommending the
formation of one large public library in Belfast."
Feb. 5, 1838. " Medical charities, especially in Ireland."

MacDOUALL, professor CHARLES, a.m. Elected Nov. 2, 1859.

President 1867-8, 1873-4.

Elected Hon. Member April i, 1878. Memoir at page 130.
Mar. 5, i860. " On the Homeric topography of the Troad."
Dec. 14, 1863. " Essay on the legend of the San-Greal.'"
Dec. 3, 1866. " On the treatises de tribus impostoribus."
Dec. 13, 1869. " Etymological notices of some important terms."
May 10, 1875. " Kings of the East and their Greek coins."

*

MEMBERS OP^ THE SOCIETY. 1 75

MacILWAINE. rev. dr. W Elected Dec. 14, 1874.

Memoir at page 142.

Mar. 1,1875. " The aesthetics of architecture."
Dec. 1,1879. "Tennyson."

M'EWEN, REV. W. D. H Elected May 4, 1818.

President 1 820-1. Secretary 1823-8.

Death mentioned October 6, 1828. Memoir at page 51.

Jan. 4, 1819. " On the formation of a history of the Presbyterian body in Ireland."

Oct. 2, 1820. " Observations on the present state of British dramatic hterature."

Dec. 3, 1821. " Apparent plagiarisms of modern poetical writers."

Nov. 7, 1823. " First part of an essay on the topography and curiosities of Loch

Cuan, or Strangford Lake."

Mar. 4, 1825. " On ancient and modern views of prison discipline."

Nov. 4, 1825. " On ancient and modern eloquence."

Jan. 8, 1827. " On poetical coincidences."

Oct. I, 1827. " Some extracts from an account of the islands in Loch Cuan."

M'INTOSH, H. S., M.A Elected Dec. 4, 1893.

President 1897-8.

Dec. 10, 1894. " Spiritualistic (so-called) phenomena."
Nov. 8,1897. " The modern novel."

M'KISACK, DR. H. L Elected April 10, 1893.

Jan. 15, 1894. " Hypnotism from a psychological point of view."

MACMUL.LAN. PROFESSOR, S. J., m.a. ...

President 1894-5. Memoir at page 147.

Dec. 5, 1892. "\ ,, T rr -a-')

Nov. 5, 1894. I ^^'^^ Turgenieff.

MARSHALL, DR. JAMES Elected Oct. 6, 1834.

Jan. 5, 1835. " Life and character of Linnseus."

MAGEE, DOCTOR Elected Hon. Member Dec. 7, 181 2.

176

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

Elected Mar. 3, 1890.
Elected Mar. 5, 1866.

Elected Mar. 2, 1896.
Elected Jan. 5. 1829.

♦MARTIN, ROBERT T., m.a

Mar. 2,1891. " Carlylean politics."

MEISSXER, PROFESSOR A. L., ph.d.

Nov. 5, 1866. " The Divina Commedia of Dante.''
Nov. 1,1869. "The myth of Charlemagne."

MEYER, J. G

Dec. 7, 1896. " The ethics of the drama."

MITCHELL, ALEXANDER

President 1852-3, 1860-1, 1861-2, 1S62-3.

Resolution making him an Honorar)' Member, in respect of

giving papers in rotation, November 3, 1862.
Died 1868.
For Memoir see Diet, of Nat. Biog., vol. 38. pp. 62-3.

April 6, 1829. " On some new applications of water to mechanical purposes."

Feb. 7,1831. " The Hanseatic league."

May 6,1833. " Meteoric storms."

Dec. 7, 1835. " Prelatic persecutions of the Presbyterians in Ulster from 1688 till

the passing of the Toleration Act in 1719."

Feb. 1,1836. "The runic characters of Scandina\-ia."

Jan. 18,1841. " On screw-pile lighthouses."

Jan. 21, 1850. " Forests and forest trees."

Jan. 7,1856. " Speculations of a projector."

April 12, 1858. " Architectural foundations."

MITCHELL, THOMAS

MOLLOY, SURGEON COL.

Feb. 6,1893. " Reflections on art."

Original Member.
Elected Jan. 2, 1893.

Elected Jan. 2, 1826.

MONTGOMERY, REV. HENRY

President 1827-8. Memoir at page 71.
Oct. 2,1826. " On systems of education."
Oct. 6, 1828. •' On the propriety of educatii^g females in the higher branches of

learning."
Mar. I, 1830. "On the intellectual system of elementary education in Scotland,

and its probable influence on society."
Mar. 5, 1832. " Fhe rise, progress, and tendencies of periodical literature."
Dec. 2,1833. "The tendency of periodical literature."
Feb. 4, 1839. "Notices of the second report of the Railway Commissioners in

Ireland."

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY,

177

Elected Mar. i, 1886.

*MOORHEAD, LT.-COLONEL SURGEON ... Elected April 4, 1898.
Dec. 5, 189S. " Literature and language of India."

MURPHY, REV. A. C, D.LiT Elected Dec. 3,1888.

President 1889-90. Death mentioned Dec. 7, 1891.

Mar. 4, 1S89. " Argument for immortality founded on the universality of the idea

of it."
April 14, 1890. " Modern physical theories."

*MURPHY, REV. HUGH DAVIS, d.d.
President 1896-7.
Dec. 5,1887. "Virgilius of Salzburg."
Nov. 14, 1892. " A visit to Davos Platz."

*MURPHY, ISAAC J Elected May 5, 1851.

President 1854-5.

" Mediaeval English revolutions."

" The education of women."

" The rise and fall of feudalism."

" Military history of the Civil War in England, 1641-3."

" Principles of local political organization."

" Character of Queen Elizabeth."

" European questions considered ethnographically."

" The institution of the Cabinet Council."

" Napoleon and Von Moltke."

" Spenser."

" A forgotten economist."

" The Privy Council and the colonies."

MURPHY, REV. PROFESSOR JAMES, d.d.. General Assembly's College.

Elected Nov. 4, 1861.
President 1868-9, 1884-5, 1893-4.
Resolution on his death April 20, 1896.

" Perception, with particular reference to Mansell On the Infinite."

" Relation between the philosophy of Hamilton and that of Reid."

" Bain's Mental Philosophy. ^^

" On the infinite."

" The scientific principle."

" M'Cosh on the emotions."

" A real unit."

jail.

May

3i
30,

1853-

Dec.

5.

1853-

Nov.

2,

1857.

Jan.

6,

1862.

April

12,

1864.

Feb.

5.

1872.

Jan.

IS.

1877.

Jan.

12,

I8S0.

Feb.

I,

1886.

May

7.

1888.

May

6,

1889.

Feb.

2,

1862.

Nov.

7.

1864.

Dec.

9,

1867.

May

6,

1872.

Jan.

14,

1878.

Jan.

16,

1882.

Feb.

6,

1888.

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

MURPHY, JOSEPH JOHN

President 1855-6, 1892-3.

Secretary 1850-54. Treasurer 1856-94

For Memoir see page 109.

Elected Jan. 21, 1850.

Feb.

4,

1850.

Nov.

3.

1851.

April

4,

1853-

Mar.

6,

1854.

Nov.

6,

1854.

Feb.

4.

1856.

Mar.

7,

1859.

Feb.

6,

i860.

Mar.

II.

i86i.

April

6,

1863.

Nov.

6,

1865.

Nov.

4.

1867.

Jan.

18,

1S69.

Jan.

20,

1873-

Feb.

4.

1878.

Feb.

3.

1879-

Feb.

3.

1890.

Nov.

10,

1890.

" Colonial nations."

" Asiatic and European races."

" Modern architecture " [in which the Crystal Palace was mentioned

as the probable type of a future style of architecture].
" Literary men and business men."

" Eastern Europe in its historical relations with the West."
" The patronage question."
" Representation of minorities."

" On the religious and political opinions of Thomas Carlyle."
" On the positive philosophy of Auguste Comte."
" Nationality."
" The theory of perception."
" Sound and unsound banking."
" A defence of metaphysics."
" Notes on formal logic."
" Automatism."

" The problem of government."
" The case for bi-metallism."
" The dramatic element in historj'."

MURRAY, ROBERT

Elected May 21, 1883.

Elected May 4, 1818.

Jan. 14, 18S4. '* The life and character of Robert E. Lee.

NEILSON, REV. W

President 1819-20.

Memoir at page 55. Portrait at page 53.
Dec. 7, 1818. " On moods."
Oct. 4,1819. " Presidential address."

May I, 1820. " Remarks on Gaelic authors and antiquities, particularly upon
Ossian."

NELSON, REV. ISAAC, m.p

Feb. 2, 1852. " The European groups of languages. "
Nov. 3, 1856. " Public opinion."

NIXON, RANDALL C. J., m.a.

Feb. 7, 1870. " On Shelley."

Elected Mar. 3, 185 1.

Elected May 3, 1869.

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. 1 79

O'BEIRNE, REV. ANDREW, of Carrickfergus. Elected Nov. 4, 181 1.

President 1 812-13. Resigned April 181 5.

Feb. 3,1812. " A comparison of the Septuagint with the Hebrew."
Dec. 6, 1813. " Attempt to adjust the comparative merits of ancient and modern
classic writers."

O'NEILL, JAMES, M.A Elected Dec 3, 1888.

Jan. 13, 1890. " English grammars, with special reference to the use of 'shall' and
'will.'"

ORR, COUNSELLOR Original Member.

^OSBORNE, REV. HENRY, m.a Elected Dec. 4. 1882.

Elected Honorary Member December 2, 1889.

April 2,1883. " Thomas Carlyle."

May 2, 1887. " Philosophic equivalents of Bible truths."

May 6, 1895. " Double vocables in animals and man: an unexplained phenomenon."

OSBORNE, DR. W. A Proposed April 20, 1896.

*PARK, PROFESSOR JOHN, m.a., d.lit. ... Elected Nov. i, 1869.

President 1880-1, 1890-1, 1895-6. Treasurer 1894-5.

May 2, 1870. " On the province of logical inquiry."

Dec. 6, 1875. " The laws of suggestion and some deductions from them."

April 28, 1879. " How we may ascertain the meaning of our own beliefs."

Nov. 6, 1883. ** Notes and queries on facts of suggestion."

April 5, 1889. " Is contiguity the sole primary law of mental association ? "

PARK, REV. WILLIAM, m.a Elected Jan. 1 2, 1874.

Nov. 2, 1874. " Bernard Palissy."

PATTERSON, EDWARD FORBES Elected Dec. 4, 1876.

Re-elected March 3, 1884.
Mar. 5,1877. " Life of Johann GottHeb Fichte."

i8o

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

PATTERSON, ROBERT, F.R.s Elected Feb. i, 1830.

President 1831-2, 1857-8, 1871-2. Treasurer 1849-1856.
Memoir at page 85. Portrait at page 83.

' On insects."

' On the colour of animals as a means of defence."

■ Remarks on the first act of the tragedy of Macbeth."
' On the caterpillars mentioned by Shakespeare."

■ Remarks on Pollok's Course of Time.''''

' Notices of some of the birds mentioned in Shakespeare, especially

the vulture and eagle."
' Some of the reptiles mentioned in Shakespeare's plays."
' Account of Hugh Miller's work on the old red sandstone."
' On the first act of Shakespeare's tragedy of Macbeth."
' Account of the pearl fisheries of Ceylon."
• Is the progress of physical science inimical to poetry ? "
' Papers illustrating the life of the late William Thompson."
' On an original copy of the Spectator, as it appeared in separate

numbers."
' On the life and character of the late Professor Edward Forbes."
' The life and labours of the late Reverend Professor Henslow."
' Glimpses of life in ancient Europe."
' Urns of ancient Europe; and The Lithuanian Aurochs."
' On the life and labours of the late Professor Harvey of Trinity

College, Dublin."

May

3.

1S30.

Oct.

3-

1831.

Nov.

5.

1832.

Nov.

3.

1834.

Nov.

7>

1836.

Oct.

15.

1838.

Dec.

2,

1839.

Nov.

8,

1841.

Dec.

12,

1842.

May

12,

1845.

April

8,

1S50.

Nov.

7.

1853-

May

4,

1857.

Dec.

2,

1861.

Mar.

7,

1864.

Feb.

4.

1867

Mar.

4,

1867.

April

5.

1869.

PATTERSON, WILLIAM H., m.r.i.a.

Elected Dec. 6, 1875.

Jan. 10, 1876. " Some notes on the popular tales of the Isle of Man."
Feb. 2, 1880. " A notice of the bardic tales of ancient Ireland."
April 5, 1886. " The history and legends of some Irish lakes."

PORTER, SIR ANDREW M., Bart. (Master of the Rolls

for Ireland) ... ... ... ... ... Elected Nov. 2,

1859.

Jan. 9, i860.
May 3, 1863.
May 8, 1866.

" Our mode of administering justice in criminal cases."

" Co-operative societies,"

" Projects for the employment of educated women."

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

i8i

PORTER, REV. JOHN SCOTT Elected Jan. 7, 1833.

President 1835-6, 1849-50, 1853-4, 1863-4, 1870-1, 1874-5.

Secretary 1854-70.

Memoir at page 91. Portrait at page 89.

' Ecclesiastical architecture."

' The history of the silk trade in England."
The early history of Presbyterianism in Belfast."
On the manufacture and publication of books among the ancient

Romans."
On the alphabetical writing of the Greeks."
On Bentham's System of Morals."
On men, manners, and occurrences in South Africa."
Early notices of the city of Londonderry brought down to about

the year 1600."
Topography of Troy."

• The Brehon laws."

' Historical sketch of the life and labours of St. Patrick."

' Account of the life of Columba."

Historical sketch of the life of Gutenberg, with remarks on the
origin of the art of printing."

' The massacre of the Huguenots, 1572."

' Observations on the poetical works of the late Rev. \Vm. Hamilton
Drummond, D.D. , one of the original members of this Society."

' The Poloniad : an unpublished poem."

' Sketches of Irish life in the eighteenth century."

' Dr. Schliemann's Troy audits remains."

*PURSER, PROFESSOR JOHN, m..\., ll.d., d.sc. ... Elected May 2, 1864.
President 188 1-2, 1888-9.

Jan. 16, 1865. " On the different forms of wave motion and the rate of its trans-
mission."

Jan. 13, 1868. " Some recent additions to our knowledge of the solar system."

Nov. II, 1S72. " Notes on light."

Dec. 2, 1878. "The tides."

May 8,1882. " Notes on electricity."

Nov. 7, 1888. " Volcanic phenomena, and more especially those connected with
the late eruption of Krakatoa."

*PURVES, REV. DAVID, m.a Elected Nov. 15, 1898.

Mar. 6, 1899. "On Professor Dill's work: Roman Society under the IVestern
Empire. ' '

Feb.

4.

1833-

Oct.

12,

1835

April

4,

1836

Mar.

4,

1839-

Feb.

3.

1840.

Feb.

7.

1842.

April

6,

1843.

April

6,

1846.

Jan.

6,

1851.

Dec.

I,

1S56

Dec.

5.

1859

May

5.

1861.

April

7,

1862.

Feb.

6,

1865

Mar.

8,

1866

April

6,

1 868.

Jan.

12,

1874

Mar.

4.

1878

l82 MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

REEVES, REV. DR. WILLIAM (afterwards Bishop of Down and Connor
and Dromore) ... Elected Corresponding Member May 5, 185 1.
Memoir at page 119.
May 1,1854. " The Book of Armagh."

REFORD, LOUIS Elected Jan. 6, 1845.

REICHEL, REV. PROFESSOR C. P., d.d. (afterwards Bishop of

Meath) .. Elected April 7, 185 1.

Resigned November 7, 1853. Re-elected April 12, 1858.
Elected Honorary Member December 5, 1864.
Memoir at page 1 11.

Nov. 2, 1859. " On the life and times of Cicero."

Jan. II, 1864. " The life and times of Bishop Jeremy Taylor."

REID, DAVID, M.A Elected Mar. 6, 1893.

REID, REV. JAMES SEATON, D.D Elected Nov. 4, 1825.

Resigned Dec. 7, 1829.

For Memoir see Did. of Nat. Biog., vol. 47, p. 429.

May I, 1826. " Historical notices, relative to the Ecclesiastical history of Carrick-
fergus from the Reformation to the present time."

April 7, 1828. "Narrative of a public discussion held in the Church of Belfast, in
August 1636, taken from an unpublished manuscript."

RICHARDSON, REV. DR.

Elected Corresponding Member May 17, 1802.

April 3, 1815. " Some curious observations on Cuvier's Theory of the Earth.'''
June 5, 1815. " Essay on agriculture as a science."

" On Fiorin grass" (published in Select Papers).

RIDER, JOB, <?/ ^e^fl^/ Elected Dec. 14, 1801.

RINGVVOOD, PROFESSOR F. H., a.m. ... Elected Feb. 4, 1850.

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

*RINGWOOD, R. M

Jan. 4,1901. " The Waverley Novels."

ROBINSON, W. A.

April II, 1870. "On banks and banking."
Mar. 6, 1876. " Gold and its substitutes."
Nov. 6, 1882. " Sketches of mining enterprise."

RODGERS, PROFESSOR

*SCOTT, REV. CHARLES, m.a.

April 9, 1888. " The Brown Earl of Ulster."

*SCOTT, CONWAY

April 1,1895. " Evolution of talent."

*SEAVER, REV. RICHARD W., a.m., b.d.

Secretary 1892-1901. Treasurer 1895-

April 4, 1892. " The question of human progress."
Mar. 4, 1S95. " The Kingsleys."
Feb. 14,1898. " The service of art."

*SEFTON, WALTER W

April I, 1 90 1. " Samuel Pepys."

*SHAW, DR. CECIL, m.a.

April 6, 1 89 1. " The education of the special senses."
Nov. 2, 1896. " The new photography."

*SHAW, JAMES, M.A

April 30, 1894. " Some heroines of Greek tragedy."

^SHELDON, CHARLES, d.lit

President 1886-7.

Jan. II, 1886. " Caedmon and Milton."

Feb. I, 1892. 1 ,, T-i \ 1 ]> • J •■ »

M 1 1807 I Arnold s views on education.

1900.
1869.

1876.

Elected Jan. 8,
Elected May 3,

Elected April 10,
Elected Feb. 6, 1888.

Elected Feb. 4, 1895.

Elected May 2, 1891.
1 90 1.

Elected Dec. 3, 1900.
Elected May 5, 1890.

Elected Dec. 4,
Elected Jan. 12,

1893.
1885.

1 84 MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
SHEPHERD, WILLIAM Elected Dec. 5, 1870.

April 3, 1871. " Influence of journalism during the first French Revolution."
May 8, 1876. " Walter Savage Landor."

SniMS, ]OHN, Jlofywood Elected Feb. 6, 187 1.

May I, 1 87 1. " Swedenborg as a man of science."

SINCLAIR, PROFESSOR THOMA.S, m.d., m.ch. Elected Mar. 7, 1887.

SLOANE, REV. S. H., of Holywood Elected Mar. 3, 1817.

Dec. I, 1817. " On the natural history of a few of the domestic shell fish."
Feb. 7, 1S20. " Strictures on the lives and character of some of the New Testament
writers."

SMITH, DR., of Downpatrick ... ... ... Elected Jan. 23, 1804.

*SMITH, PROFESSOR LORRAINE, m.a., m.d. Elected April 20, 1896.

May 8, 1899. " Oxygen in some of its relations."

*SMITH, GEORGE Elected Jan. 11, 1897.

Jan. 17,1898. " Gabriel Naude."

April 29, 1900. " The Frankfort Book-mart."

*STEEN, WILLIAM, B.A. Elected Jan. 14, 1884.

President 1901-2.

Nov. 3, 1884. " Henry George on progress and poverty."
May 4,1891. " Individual liberty." -
Dec. 4, 1899. "Socialism."

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY, 185

STEPHENSON, DR. SAMUEL MARTIN ... Original Member.

Vice-President 1802-3. President 1803-4, 1811-12.

Secretary 1805-6.

Resigned December 3, 182 1, and elected Honorary Member.

For Memoir see Did. of Nat. Biog., vol. 54, p. 189.
Feb. 16,1802. " On lightning and rain."
Oct. 18, 1802. " Irish tumuH."
April 4,1803. " Antiquities of county of Antrim."
Feb. 27, 1804. "Cromlechs, stone pillars, and round towers."
April 8,1805. " Upon the parish of Dunaghey (alias Clough)."

Jan. 6, 1806. 1 ,, tijc men who were eminent for learning or religion in this country."
Mar. 6, 1809. J

Dec. 4,1809. " History of the Culdees."

April 19, 181 1. " The speech of Lamech to his wives, and the history of poetry."

Oct. 5. 1812. |..Q 1^^ „

Dec. 7, 1812. / J f J

April 4, 1 8 14. " The northern coast of the county of Antrim, particularly on its

white limestone."
May 2, 1814. " Lough Neagh."
Oct. 3, 1814. " Extra paper containing a description of the effects of lightning upon

a stable of Mr. Stevenson of Springfield, near Belfast."
Nov. 6, 1815. " On the effect of oxygen on animal bodies."
May 4, 181 8. "On ancient tumuli, particularly those of the counties of Down and

Antrim."
Feb. I, 1819. " On the tides of the northern coast of Ireland."
Mar. 6, 1820. " On the ecclesiastical divisions of County Antrim, etc."
Oct. I, 1 82 1. " A history of the parish and congregation of Templepatrick."
Also wrote for the Society " The history of the Linen manufacture in the county of
Antrim " (published in Select Papers).

♦STEVENSON, JOHN Elected Jan. 14, 1901.

STOKES, DR. WHITLEY, 0/ Dublin.

Elected Corresponding Member May 17, 1802.

STREET, REV. J. C Elected Dec. 4, 187 1.

Resigned November 4, 1889.

Elected Honorary Member December 2, 1889.
Feb. 5,1872. "Walt Whitman."
Dec. 10, 1S77. " Abraham Lincoln."
Feb. 6,1883. " Reminiscences of a visit to Malta."

1 86 MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

STUART, JAMES, ^/7Vi;wr>/ Elected Nov. 5, 182 1.

For Memoir see Diet, of Nat. Biog., vol. 55, p. 89.

May 6, 1822. " On the precious metals and bank notes."

May 2, 1823. " Essay to prove that the King of England is not one of the Three

Estates in the British Parliament."
Feb. 4, 1825. " On the literature of Ireland during the Middle Ages."

♦SYMINGTON, PROFESSOR, m.d Elected Mar. 4, 1895.

Dec. 6, 1897. " The evolution of the brain."

TANEY, JAMES B., U. S. Consul Elected Dec. 4, 1893.

TAYLOR, ALEXANDER O'DRISCOLL ... Elected Dec. 5, 1853.

President 1858-9, 1877-8.

April 2, 1855. " Personal impressions of American authors."

Nov. I, 1858. " Rise and progress of insurance."

Dec. I, 1862, " Some of the statistics of human life."

Dec. II, 1865. " Stray jottings on sleep."

Mar. 8, 1869. " Recreation."

Feb. 7, 1876. " A glance at the ballad poetry of Ireland."

Nov. I, 1880. " A glance at the literary life of Belfast seventy years ago."

TAYLOR, ROBERT Elected Mar. i, 1852.

Feb. 7,1853. " History of wine in England."

Jan. 9, 1854. " Pleasures for the people."

Dec. II, 1854. " On the inner and the outer life."

TEMPLETON, JOHN Original Member.

Vice-President 1803. Memoir at page 45.

Jan. II, 1802. " On natural history."

Dec. 6, 1802. " On the Lough Neagh whiting."

*TENNANT, DR Elected Jan. 14, 1901.

TENNENT, JAMES THOMSON Elected Jan. 6,1834.

President 1837-8, 1839-40.

May 5, 1834. " The corn laws."

Dec. 5, 1836. " The present state of banking in these countries."

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. 1 8/

TENNENT, ROBERT J. Elected Jan. 3,1831.

President 1834-5.
April 4, 1831. " On the partitions and present state of Poland."

THOMPSON, PROFESSOR W. H., m.d. ... Elected Dec. 4, 1893.

THOMPSON, WILLIAM Elected April 7, 1834.

President 1838-9. Memoir at page 98.

Dec. I, 1834. " History of the swallows in Ireland."

Dec. 22, 1834. " Observations on the habits of the house-martin, the sand-martin,

and the swift."
Jan. 2, 1837. " The native birds of the order raptores."
Mar. 4, 1839. " Notes on the effects of the great storm in January last on birds and

fishes in different parts of Ireland."
Dec. 14, 1840. "Chars, and other native Irish fishes."
Nov. 18, 1844. " Remarks on a meeting at the Athenreum, Manchester, ... of

the party called ' Young England. ' "
Jan. 4, 1S47. " Selections from Travels in Lycia, by Spratt and Forbes."
Feb. 3, 1 85 1. " Rough notes of a week in the Adriatic."

THOMSON, PROFESSOR JAMES (of Royal Acadeviical Institution,

Belfast) Elected Oct. 5, 1 8 18.

President 1821-2. Memoir at page 60.

April 6,1819. " On the tides."

Jan. I, 1 82 1. "A view of the progress of mathematics among the Saracens."

Nov. 4, 1822. "A sketch of the progress of mathematical science among the

Greeks."
April 2, 1824. " Essay on the opinions that have been formed respecting the nature

and phenomena of the fixed stars."
Jan. 2, 1826. "On rivers."
Nov. 5, 1827. " On the celestial phenomena, as seen from other bodies, in the solar

system."
Mar. 2, 1829. " Currents at sea. "

Oct. 4, 1830. " Two unpublished letters of Doctor Thomas Reid."
Mar. 7, 1 83 1. " Remarkable instances of hereditary talent among men of science."

1 88 MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

THOMSON, PROFESSOR JAMES, ll.d., d.sc. (of Queen's College,

Belfast) Elected May 2, 1853.

President 1864-5.

Elected Honorary Member May 19, 1873.

Memoir at page 122.

Mar. 5, 1855. " On the parallel roads of Glen Roy, and other similar phenomena,

attributable to glacial action."
May 14, 1855. " On various plans for warming rooms and buildings."
Feb. 8, 1858. " On work and power : their measures and measurement."
Jan. 10, 1859. " Ventilation of apartments."
April 2, i860. " The theory of perspective."
Feb. I, 1864. " On bridges and tunnels."
Jan. 7, 1867. "On the strength, safety, and danger of structures, with a view

to the amendment of existing practices."
Mar. 6,1871. " Explanations and illustrations of hydraulics."

THOMSON, DOCTOR Original Member.

Secretary 1801-3. Resigned December 26, 1803
April 19, 1802. " Some peculiar properties of organized bodies."

THOMSON, PROFESSOR SIR C. WYVILLE. Elected April 7, 1856.

Memoir at page 124.

Jan. 12, 1857. " Moral influence of the Poor Law in Scotland."
Feb. 5, 1866. " Organization in relation to life."
May 3, 1869. " On the depths of the sea."

*TROBRIDGE, GEORGE Elected Dec. 5, 188 1.

Mar. 6,1882. "The raison d'etre of art."

Mar. 5, 1 888. " The influence of machinery on the handicrafts and in social life."

WALKER, PROFESSOR Elected Dec. 3, 1888.

Dec. 2, 1889. " Historical sketch of the Jewish philosophers."

WALLACE, REV. J. BRUCE Elected Dec. i, 1884.

Dec 6 1886 f" The solidarity of mankind."

May 5, 1890. " The income of the nation and how it is divided."

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. 1 89

WALTER, HERMANN, M. A., PH.D Elected Jan. 11,1897.

May 10, 1897. *' Goethe's (7/ar7>o."

WARD, W. H Elected April 10, 1876.

WARDEN, DAVID B. ... Elected Corresponding Member Feb. 1803.

Jan. 10, 1803. (Communicated through Dr. Stephenson.) "A synoptical view of
the weather of the time and progress of vegetation, agricultural
employment, and diseases at Ivinderhoek, in the State of New
York."
"On the Upas tree" and "The Bark of Magnolia Tripetalata of
Virginia " (published in Select Papers).

WHEELER, GEORGE H Elected Mar. 6, 1893.

WILD, J. J Elected Nov. 1,1869.

Nov. 7, 1S70. " Universallanguage. "

WILLIAMSON, R Original Member.

WILSON, REV. W. A., b.a Elected May 2, 1892.

May 8,1893. "Pessimism."

WILSON, PROFESSOR Elected Jan. 21,1850.

President 1 850-1.
April 7,1851. " Arithmetical notation of various nations. "

WRIGHT, REV. DR Elected Nov. 3,1884.

Mar. 2, 1885. " Early Jewish Rabbis— Hillel to Akiba."

WYLIE, REV. J. B Elected April 20, 1896.

Mar. 1,1897. " Carlyle and Burns."

YONGE, PROFESSOR CHARLES DUKE, m.a. Elected Dec. 9, 1867.
Memoir in Diet, of Nat. Biog., vol. 63, p. 324.
Mar. 2,1868. " The Revolution of 1789."

190

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

YOUNG, PROFESSOR JOHN, ll.d. ...
President 1823-4.
Died March 9th, 1829 (see Minutes, April 6th)

2, 1822. " On the principles of banking."
c iSae I " ^" '■^^ principles of banking " (a continuation),

3, 1827. " Essay on the theory of dreaming."

Elected Mar. 4, 1822.

Dec.
Mar.
Dec.
Dec.

*YOUNG, ROBERT, c.e. ...

President 1883-4, i<

Elected May 2, 1870.

Feb. 6, 1 87 1
May 4, 1874
Dec. 14, 1874
April 7, 1879
Dec. 6, 1880,
Dec. S, iS

Mar. 7, 18
Nov. 15, 18

*YOUNG, R. M

Jan. 12, 18"
Jan. 9, li

" Some remarks on early printing."

" Primitive church arrangements."

" St. Brendan's voyages."

" The basis of sesthetics."

" Notes of a visit to some interesting places in the Pyrenees in 1879."

" Notes on the archaeology of Ballycastle and its vicinity, illustrated

by recent sketches."
" Irish place-.'james."
" Connaught in '48 and '98."

B.A., M.R.I. A.

Elected Mar. i, 1886,

(As a visitor.) " Some notes on old Japanese art."

"Notes on the Belfast press and its productions, 1700- 1800."

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